Global Street Design Guide

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Table of Contents

Global Street Design Guide

Existing Conditions


This illustration shows a two-way residential street with parking on both sides.


Residential streets might be designed with minimal sidewalks, limited vehicular access, and low volumes, allowing them to operate informally as slow zones.


Varied conditions on either side of the street are characterized by absent or cluttered sidewalks, and parallel or perpendicular parking.


To maintain low speeds and volumes on these streets, poorly designed speed bumps might occasionally be installed.




Fortaleza, Brazil. Before and after images showing a residential street transformation using traffic calming measures.

Design Guidance


Maintain one travel lane in each direction with a maximum of 3 m lane width. See: Travel Lanes.


Design sidewalks to provide accessibility ramps and continuous unobstructed clear paths.


This configuration has tight dimensions due to restricted space. When more space is available, or the amount of parking can be  reduced, allocate additional pedestrian space for a better walking environment with landscaping and street furniture.


Alternate curb extensions and rain gardens with parking spaces to create pinchpoints on the streets, which help in speed reduction.


Utilize these curb extensions to locate street trees, light poles, cycle racks, and other street furniture.


Cyclists can ride safely in mixed traffic when streets are designed for 20 km/h. See: Design Speed.


Introduce raised crosswalks at the intersections, which act as speed calming measures and prioritize pedestrians. See: Small Raised Intersection.


Support traffic calming strategies with clearly marked speed limits.


Sydney, Australia


Adapted by Global Street Design Guide published by Island Press.

Example 2: 16 m

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Example 2: 16 m