Equity
Since streets both reflect and shape the communities they serve, they have become incredibly meaningful places for people working to create more equitable cities and communities.
Join Main Street
Join thousands of local leaders like you and get access to exclusive resources like this and much more.
Become A MemberAlready have an account?
Kansas City, Missouri © Lorraine Boogich / iStock
Navigating Main Streets as Places was produced in partnership by Project for Public Spaces and Main Street America.
How to Use
This one-stop-shop toolkit features guidance and best practices for rural downtowns and urban neighborhood commercial districts through three platforms: a downloadable handbook, a multi-part webinar series, and this online resource library, which includes a variety of new tools and links to transportation- and streets-focused resources, best practices, and research from across the country.
The handbook, webinar series, and online resource library are organized around three chapters to make it easy to connect the dots across the platforms: Chapter 1: Transportation Matters for Main Streets, Chapter 2: Nuts and Bolts of People-First Streets, and Chapter 3: Building a Better Street Together.
You can download the handbook, access the webinars, and navigate through the online resource library by clicking on the buttons below. Have a resource you’d like to contribute to the library? Please fill out this form.
Toolkit Themes
Navigating Main Streets as Places explores why transportation and streets matter for commercial districts by examining their potential costs and benefits across six key areas: equity, safety, health, economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and community. Learn more by clicking through the carousel below.
Safety
The atmosphere of our streetscapes and the practical design of streets can impact both the incidences of crime and the extent to which people fear the possibility of crime.
Health
The design of our streets can have profound impacts on public health outcomes. Main Streets can play an important role in fostering a culture of health.
Economic Vitality
Main Street leaders should support the most efficient use of their transportation systems as part of achieving sustainable economic vitality.
Environmental Sustainability
A well-designed, people-oriented street encourages environmental sustainability by emphasizing the inherent green features of Main Street district.
Community
Physical features and intentional community engagement are both at the heart of people-oriented street planning and design.
This publication was made possible through the generous support of the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Foundation.
Related Resources
Main Street Disaster and Resilience Toolkit
This publication is designed to help Main Streets and commercial district organizations better prepare for and respond to more frequent and severe disasters.
Marion, IA © Uptown Marion
Activate the First 16 Feet
This webinar will help you focus on the area where shared human experiences are most felt and learn small interventions to unlock the energy of the First 16 Feet in your district.
Nature-Based Placemaking
Nature-Based Placemaking uses a community's outdoor recreational assets as a foundation for community transformation.
Franklin, Louisiana © Franklin Main Street
State of Main: Fall 2016
Welcome to the inaugural edition of State of Main, the annual publication of Main Street America featuring thought leadership from across the network.
Determining Main Street Boundaries
Use this resource to guide your efforts to established or re-draw the boundaries of your downtown or neighborhood commercial district. Published by Texas Main Street Program.
Older, Smaller, Better
This study, from the Preservation Green Lab at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, demonstrates the unique and valuable role that older, smaller buildings play in the development of sustainable cities.
AARP Bike Audit
Evaluate the safety and usability of bike networks in your Main Street commercial district. Published by AARP.
Wayfinding Sign System Guide
This guide from Virginia Main Street explores the importance of wayfinding, the components of a custom wayfinding plan, design considerations, and implementation.
Sterling, Illinois. © Sterling Main Street
Creating Outdoor Spaces in Colder Months
Watch this webinar to learn how you can create welcoming and comfortable third spaces and gathering places outdoors during winter cold months.
Construction Mitigation Plan
Construction can be very disruptive for downtown businesses. Use this sample mitigation plan to help you develop your own strategy to assist your downtown businesses during a construction project. Published by Cumberland Main Street.
Downtown Design Guide
This guide from Main Street Alabama explores how design relates to urban planning, construction, storefronts, existing assets, public space, art, and building codes.
Anti-Racism Resources
As community organizations, it is important for Main Streets to stand against racism and bigotry. This toolkit is designed to give you an understanding of the history of our country, the key tenants of allyship, and the ways that your organization can help reduce injustice.
Richmond, CA © Ellen Gailing
Commercial District Design: Open Streets and Design
In this AARP guide, learn how open streets projects and other design elements can improve downtown design and create vibrant and sustainable communities.
Commercial District Design: Public Amenities
In this AARP guide, learn how public amenities can help build richer, more connected, and more sustainable communities.
Commercial District Design: Parklets and Pedlets
In this AARP guide, learn how small parklets and pedlets can provide vibrant gathering spaces and improve sense of place in your downtown.
Commercial District Design: Trails and Parks
In this AARP guide, learn how access to trails and parks can enhance downtown commercial district revitalization efforts.
State of Main: Winter 2019
With articles written by industry experts on topics ranging from the transformative placemaking to inclusive entrepreneurship, the publication is brimming with tools, tips, and strategies that will help you lead a results-oriented revitalization effort.
Activating the Main Street Approach through Placemaking
Learn how placemaking principles can be utilized as an implementation strategy of local Main Street efforts to empower community members and create more action-oriented programs
Metuchen, NJ © Lauren Beischer
Designing for Health & Wellbeing Supports Community Prosperity
A look at the connection between the wellbeing of residents and the vitality of communities and explore the wide range of design elements and tools available that will lead to more active, accessible and connected Main Streets. Published in State of Main.
Best Parking Practices for Your Main Street
Parking planning is an important part of creating welcoming and usable public spaces. This webinar provides a primer on the best practices you should consider as you plan the parking strategy for your downtown or neighborhood commercial district.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards
Use these accessibility standards to guide you as you make accessibility upgrades in your community. Published by US Access Board.
Chicago, Illinois © Max Bender
Building a Path toward Clean Water and Vibrant Communities
Effective stormwater management is an important element of many streetscaping plans to reduce pollution of your drinking water and other community benefits. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
Green Streets in Iowa
Learn about Iowa’s exciting sustainability initiative and the ways two small towns are becoming more green. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
Downtown Florence, South Carolina © True Light Photography
Join Main Street
Join thousands of local leaders like you and get access to exclusive resources like this and much more.
Become A Member