Researching design and transportation systems for sustainable communities : what can we learn and how can it be applied in Rhode Island.

Green, William A. · 2009 · ROSA P / University Transportation Centers Program (U.S.)

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Summary

This report addresses the urgent need for sustainable community design and transportation systems in Rhode Island, motivated by the negative impacts of urbanization, sprawl, and car-oriented development. The author identifies that traditional urban growth has led to increased traffic congestion, longer commute times, habitat loss, and public health issues such as obesity and respiratory illness. Transportation is highlighted as a primary contributor to climate change, accounting for two-thirds of U.S. oil use and significant portions of urban air pollution. The research aims to identify effective alternatives to these pervasive patterns by examining literature on sustainable communities, focusing on precedents, roadway patterns, and specific features like green streets and shared infrastructure. The methodology consists of a comprehensive literature review of national and international publications, journals, and reports. As Phase I of a two-phased project, the investigator analyzed case studies and design standards from cities implementing sustainable practices, including Portland, Oregon; Austin; Chicago; Seattle; New York; Calgary; and Vancouver. The review focused on identifying technologies, policies, and design practices suitable for application in Rhode Island and New England. Key concepts examined include Smart Growth, New Urbanism, Transit-Oriented Development, and Context Sensitive Design. The study specifically evaluated strategies for reducing environmental footprints, managing stormwater, and enhancing social capital through improved walkability and transit access. The findings detail several specific design interventions that balance vehicle needs with environmental and social concerns. "Livable streets" are defined as low-speed, pedestrian-friendly corridors that enhance community safety and property values. "Green streets" utilize bioswales, porous pavements, and infiltration basins to mimic natural hydrology and reduce stormwater runoff. The report also highlights "skinny streets" and "living streets" (or *woonerfs*), which reduce impervious surfaces and integrate traffic with residential activities to lower accident rates and construction costs. Additional findings emphasize the importance of interconnected bicycle networks, green infrastructure for mitigating urban heat islands, and sustainable pavement materials, such as recycled aggregates and lighter-colored surfaces, to reduce energy consumption and emissions. The significance of this work lies in its provision of a framework for applying these sustainable design principles in Rhode Island. The report concludes that while technological fixes alone are insufficient, a combination of regulatory updates, design standards, and community engagement can shift transportation systems toward sustainability. It emphasizes that solutions must be context-specific, growing from local place characteristics rather than being applied indiscriminately. The study underscores the potential for these practices to improve ecological capital, human health, and social networking, offering a roadmap for planners and designers to create denser, more resilient communities that rely less on private automobiles and more on walking, cycling, and public transit.

Key finding

Sustainable street designs like green and skinny streets reduce impervious surfaces and stormwater runoff while enhancing pedestrian safety and community livability.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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• urban rural setting