Sustainable urban development through complete street policy implementation

Abstract

Nowadays, the expansion of the cities is an inevitable necessity; increasing the dependence of the citizens on motor vehicles and, consequently, making development of the transportation networks a necessity rather than an option. Thus, increasing car ownership and car use has created many problems for the cities, such as increasing greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution, casualties of accidents and reducing pedestrian safety. For instance, since 1970, CO2 emissions have increased by about 90%, with emissions from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes contributing about 78% of the total greenhouse gas emissions increase from 1970 to 2011.Thus, in this study, complete street policy is proposed as a tool to solve these problems. This policy has many benefits including reducing transportation costs, increasing travel options, increasing safety, reducing air pollution and improving the quality of life for people. In this research, Jomhuri Street in Shiraz city has been analyzed according to complete street criteria by using SWOT and Space Syntax method. Finally, some strategies including using ramps for the disabled pedestrian, maintaining the continuity of the sidewalks, using techniques to decrease the width of the street and considering suitable furniture along the street are proposed to make Jomhuri Street a complete street. Therefore, in the process of formulating the appropriate strategies and policies for this Street, the attempt is to improve sustainable urban development through the creation of safe spaces to facilitate the movement of all users in the street.