Madison Adopts ‘Complete Green Streets’ Plan

Madison, Wisconsin is adopting a “Complete Green Streets” policy aimed at consolidating the city’s efforts to build safe, accessible, and pleasant streets for all with its sustainability goals. Writing in Smart Cities Dive, Maria Rachal explains that the policy is designed to be a “flexible tool that can evolve” with the city’s needs.

According to the new city-issued guide, “With significant growth and development, rising concerns about safety, and increased awareness of disparities, Madison needed a more detailed approach to designing streets that reflects our community’s values and priorities.” 

The new policy combines Complete Streets and focuses on four values: prioritizing the safety and comfort of people; supporting community engagement and emphasizing short neighborhood trips; fostering more sustainable transportation and land use; and centering equity, which the city defines as “engaging inclusively, providing access to opportunities, prioritizing and supporting the needs of historically underserved people.”