The Complete Streets Handbook provides a lot of guidance about proper placement of street furniture and the design of city streets. However sometimes it is helpful to take a look at a few good examples to see the Handbook's recommendations in action. Here are some good examples of streets that comply with the Handbook.
Good example: Sidewalk sales 40 inches or less
Good example: Attractive wide furnishing zone
Good example: Furnishing zone on 12 ft. sidewalk
Good example: Wheelchair ramp platform for sign
(left) Good example: Sidewalk Cafe on Locust - (right) Good example: Sidewalk Cafe on Walnut
The Complete Streets Handbook provides a lot of guidance about proper placement of street furniture and the design of city streets. However sometimes it is helpful to take a look at a few examples to see some of the issues that the Handbook is designed to address. Here are some examples of street furniture management that could be improved in order to comply with the Handbook.
Bad example: Planters on skinny st. with bollards
Bad example: Construction fence with inadequate pedestrian space
Bad example: Oversized planters
Bad example: Grate takes up Walking Zone
Bad example: Too big cafe with bollards
Bad example: Oversized sidewalk cafe
(left) Bad example: Too Tight cafes in Manayunk - (right) Bad example: Sidewalk cafe on Sansom
In 2012 and 2013 the University City District installed these pedestrian plazas in West Philly. Visit them at 48th and Baltimore or 42nd and Woodland to see them in real life.
These parklets act like a front porch or stoop to hang out on. These small spaces make a big difference in their neighborhoods. Don't forget to visit them all!
Bike corrals are large bike racks that provide a dozen bicycle parking spaces and differ from standard bicycle parking because the corral occupies a curbside parking space formerly used for a single car. Philadelphia has eight of them distributed across Center City, Fishtown and West Philly.
![]() | SOUTHBOUND LINCOLN DRIVE CLOSED OVERNIGHT FOR MAINTENANCE |
![]() | RIGHT-OF-WAY PLAN REVIEW LAUNCHES ELECTRONICALLY ON ECLIPSE |