News April 3, 2020

COVID-19 Resources

In this unprecedented crisis, cities and transit agencies are taking action to address the most critical impacts of the coronavirus and ensure essential services operate in their communities. With all the unknowns that this outbreak presents, best practices are still being established, and cities are finding that actions taken one day may need to be changed the next.

These are critical times for cities to learn from and support each other. As a global community, we stand together.

NACTO’s resources on COVID-19 response are supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Sign up for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ City Hall Coronavirus Daily Update for actions cities are taking in response to the coronavirus crisis.

 

Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery

The COVID-19 global pandemic altered every aspect of urban life in recent months. In response, city transportation officials around the world have quickly implemented new street design and management tools to keep essential workers and goods moving, provide safe access to grocery stores and other essential businesses, and ensure that people have safe space for social/physical distancing while getting outside. These evolving practices will shape our cities as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and are key to our long-term recovery.

Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery compiles emerging practices from around the world and includes implementation resources for cities and their partners. Recognizing the rapidly changing nature of this pandemic, Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery will be revised and expanded to include new strategies, address changing conditions, and provide the best possible information on each design practice.

As of June 16, 2020, Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery includes an introduction to using streets for recovery and response (pdf) and detailed implementation information about the following street strategies (all new or updated as of 6/25).

Download Full PDF

More Updates

Scaling up Streets for Kids: Highlights from the 2025 Streets for Kids Leadership Accelerator

July 1, 2025

Scaling up Streets for Kids: Highlights from the 2025 Streets for Kids Leadership Accelerator

In 2025, GDCI brought together a selected group of 10 city teams working to scale up their efforts to create more and better Streets for Kids in Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador through multiple projects, programs, and policies. Here’s a look back and key learnings from a two-month online capacity-building program.

Designing Safe and Resilient Streets in Recife

June 30, 2025

Designing Safe and Resilient Streets in Recife

In October 2024, the Streets for Kids project was inaugurated in the Jordão neighborhood in Recife, Brazil, a community where children faced multiple challenges accessing safe and high-quality public spaces. Heavy rains, frequent flooding, and landslide risks often made their journey to school dangerous and unpredictable. Throughout the process, children, caregivers, school staff, and residents were engaged to co-create solutions that improve access to schools, supporte outdoor play and social connection, and set a precedent for future child-focused street transformations in Recife.

Creating Safer Spaces for Play: Tackling Air Pollution in Accra

June 11, 2025

Creating Safer Spaces for Play: Tackling Air Pollution in Accra

In collaboration with the Korle Klottey Municipality and with support from the Clean Air Fund, GDCI launched the Removing Pollution from Play project in late 2023, with the aim to tackle air pollution in school environments by implementing practical solutions, raising awareness, and empowering communities to advocate for cleaner air. In March 2025, the completed intervention was inaugurated, and the new safe play space now serves over 150 students in Accra.