Streets

A street is a public thoroughfare in an urban area, designed for the movement of people and goods along with access to adjacent properties. Streets connect neighborhoods, support commerce, and shape everyday life. They are usually lined with buildings and include spaces for vehicles, pedestrians, and often street trees, utilities, and street furniture.

Core design elements include traffic lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, curbs, drainage, lighting, signage, and traffic signals. Streets are classified by function: arterial streets carry long-distance traffic between districts; collectors distribute traffic to local streets; local streets provide direct access to properties. Many cities also designate pedestrian-only or low-speed streets to prioritize walking and cycling.

Historically, streets evolved from simple paths to organized networks. In ancient cities, streets were narrow routes; medieval and early modern streets were irregular but grew with urban growth. The 19th and 20th centuries saw paving, sidewalk construction, and the introduction of streetcar systems; later, motorized traffic led to wider roads and zoning changes. Today, street design emphasizes multimodal access, safety, sustainability, and resilience, with approaches such as traffic calming, complete streets, and green infrastructure.

Streets are governed by municipal authorities and subject to planning regulations, maintenance responsibilities, and safety standards. They are public spaces that host commerce, public life, and cultural events. Policy aims include reducing injuries, improving accessibility for people with disabilities, and ensuring equitable access to transportation opportunities.