Sustainable Transportation Networks and Streetscapes
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Sustainable Transportation Networks and Streetscapes
This course is part of Sustainable Cities Specialization
Instructor: William Roper
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There are 3 modules in this course
This course will evaluate best practices in transportation networks, thoroughfares, and streetscape designs for the effective movement of people, goods, and services in a region. Sustainable public and private streetscape design and application will be reviewed and evaluated for applications for sustainable cities. Considerations are assessed for smart urban planning, growth, and lifestyle. Strategies for creating equitable, healthy, and sustainable communities are also evaluated.
By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1. Survey and evaluate thoroughfare network considerations for connectivity, block size and sidewalk interaction. 2. Compare different complete street design options for application in smart growth planning. 3. Evaluate sidewalk design and planning strategies for public and private sidewalks to include street tree configurations and street light design. 4. Examine issues of water management with specialized curb design, ground water recharge areas and swales as part of the streetscape design and planning. 5. Identify and evaluate the differences between free-flow, slow-flow, and yield-flow thoroughfare design concepts. 6. Assess and evaluate smart urban planning, growth, and lifestyle indicators. The target audience for this course includes: - Government Officials involved planning, designing, monitoring, enforcement, and assessment of sustainable project developments at the local, state, and federal level. - Private sector companies in the transportation and municipal design and construction business - Architects interested in advancing sustainable concepts for cities and communities - Foundations, associations, and other NGOs that support smart growth strategies - Academic faculty and students studying and researching community sustainability and resilience - Private citizens interested in improving their communities and living conditions
The importance of sustainable city thoroughfares designed to interconnect into a hierarchical network is introduced. The largest thoroughfares allow for direct connection to the urban center. Analysis of smart urban planning growth and lifestyles is also discussed.
What's included
7 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 plugin
7 videos•Total 53 minutes
- Introduction to Thoroughfare Networks•7 minutes
- Thoroughfare Network Infrastructure•6 minutes
- Sustainable Urban Planning•7 minutes
- Measuring Sprawl•11 minutes
- Controlling Sprawl and Urban Blight•8 minutes
- Smart Growth Redevelopment•8 minutes
- Toward Sustainable Communities•8 minutes
2 readings•Total 12 minutes
- Sustainable Transportation Networks and Streetscapes Resources•10 minutes
- Regional Level Transportation Planning Example•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Thoroughfare Networks and Infrastructure•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Student Introductions•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
- 2035 Regional Plan Highlights•15 minutes
Neighborhoods typically have a range of thoroughfare types to facilitate the movement of people through the neighborhood. Sustainable smart growth neighborhoods are designed to equitably allow pedestrians, bicycles, and the automobiles to move within the community. This module will evaluate a variety of techniques and policies that encourage this balanced multimodal use of transportation thoroughfares.
What's included
6 videos1 reading
6 videos•Total 39 minutes
- Complete Streets, Design Speeds, Complex Geometries•7 minutes
- Curb Radii, Street Parking, Complex Geometries•5 minutes
- Avenues and Boulevards, Free-Flow Streets, and Roads•7 minutes
- Slow-Flow Streets and Roads, Yield-Flow Streets and Roads, Rear Alleys•5 minutes
- Creating Equitable and Sustainable Communities•9 minutes
- Creating Healthy and Sustainable Communities•6 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Creating Equitable, Healthy, and Sustainable Communities•10 minutes
Sustainable public streetscapes are much more than just a part of the infrastructure to facilitate the movement of automobiles. In addition to the vehicular lanes, they must include sidewalks, trees, curbs, lighting, and other elements that collectively constitute a sustainable public streetscape. Public streetscapes require careful design attention to contribute to a successful neighborhood. This requires a full range of regional appropriateness that corresponds to the transect. Private streetscapes are an extension of the public streetscape but relate specifically to the private sector building configuration and frontage design. Successful private sector streetscapes can include properly sized porches students, terraces, balconies, that enhance activity to the street.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
6 videos•Total 44 minutes
- Sidewalks, Trees, Swales•5 minutes
- Streetlights, Pavement Materials, Utility Placements•6 minutes
- Building Attachments, Short Setbacks, Street Walls•6 minutes
- Skyscrapers, Shops on the Sidewalk, Retail Management•7 minutes
- Reduce Water Runoff, Increase Infiltration, Reduce Heat Island Effect, Increase Local Tax Base•13 minutes
- Enhanced Environmental Quality, Pedestrian Friendly, Increase Local Tax Base•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Sustainable Streetscapes, Storm Water Management, and Environmental Enhancement•30 minutes
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Reviewed on Mar 15, 2026
Full coverage of type of roads for automobile transportation networks. Would have liked more international case studies, including from developing countries.
Reviewed on Jun 9, 2023
Lot of finer details for street and sidewalk considerations and standards.
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