San Antonio City Council adopts Complete Streets policy to promote healthy living and safe mobility

Introduction: The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) is addressing the obesity epidemic through many initiatives to increase physical activity.. The aim is to implement population-based policy, systems and environmental changes using the MAPPS strategies recommended by CDC, which promote physical activity and healthy eating Methods: The Department of Planning and Community Development (Planning) began formulating a Complete Streets Policy, with funding from Metro Health (CPPW grant) The purpose of Complete Streets is to enhance choice of mobility, facilitate physical activity and recreation and improve quality of life, health and safety for all members of the community. The process began with a facilitated workshop attended by 45 participants from City departments and transportation agencies, and continued with stakeholder work-groups to create a draft policy that reflected the community needs and unique cultural setting of San Antonio. Planning developed several new tools for assessing streets for multimodal use, including a Project Checklist, Multimodal Level of Service analysis and an updated Major Thoroughfare Plan incorporating Complete Streets. Planning is working with numerous community partners to demonstrate Complete Street revitalization by building “Better Blocks” within a neighborhood. Results: The City of San Antonio adopted a Complete Streets Ordinance in September 2011. Discussion: The policy encourages active transportation allowing individuals to safely utilize public right-of-way for recreation and access to parks. It will promote safe pedestrian, bicycle and automobile travel for all ages and abilities in residential and mixed-use neighborhoods. Commercial corridors will be enhanced and pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods would increase in the city.