Streets take up about 30% of the land area in the average American city. Why not use streets to promote active living and healthy communities instead of just for driving? re:Streets -- a new approach to fully utilizing the public realm through cutting edge best practices -- can radically transform a community and set a new direction for the development of healthy human habitats. The session will highlight how the Hemisfair Park Area in San Antonio is being transformed with multi-pronged community engagement to incorporate re:Streets concepts and revitalize and catalyze the neighborhood. A vibrant multi-modal streetscape environment is being created that dramatically improves pedestrian access, safety and comfort; incorporates bicycle facilities and streetcar and transit improvements; and uses tools to incentivize change and activate the street. The Hemisfair Park streetscape incorporates a diverse set of sustainable design solutions – from context sensitive planting to integrated stormwater management. The project celebrates and strengthens the area’s unique identity by incorporating iconic art, gateways, well-designed wayfinding and signage, and programmable open spaces that host festivals and other cultural activities. The case study and presentations will illustrate the results of re:Streets -- a three-year research effort funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. re:Streets is a fundamental rethinking of America’s streets based on the most recent research. re:Streets explores the future of streets and what America's roadways would be like if they were designed for living, instead of just driving. The research effort has built a nationwide constituency for translating research into action. re:Streets goes beyond Complete Streets to examine nine areas that expand the function of streets to support active living.
