The adaptation strategies below offer possible ways to address anticipated climate risks for walkable communities.
Adaptation strategies for walkable communities
- Plan community spaces to be walkable and accessible to existing or planned mass transit stations such as bus stops and rail stations, bike-share, car-share, and other transportation options. Learn more about Complete Streets from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Use heat-tolerant street landscaping to reduce the amount of sun and heat reaching the ground to enable pedestrians to access the sidewalks, bikeways, and crosswalks by lowering ground-level temperatures and to reduce the effects of weathering.
- Ensure asphalt/concrete mixtures and other construction materials are appropriate for anticipated flooding and temperature changes (e.g., potholes, sidewalk deterioration).
- Adopt and implement increased standards for drainage capacity for new transportation infrastructure and major rehabilitation projects.
- Ensure pavement grooving and sloping is appropriate for anticipated flooding, among other strategies.
- Ensure that sidewalks, bikeways, and crosswalks are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other relevant national, state, or local guidelines.
Source Documents
These strategies are adapted from existing federal and other resources. Please view these strategies in the context provided by the primary source document:
Disclaimer
The adaptation strategies provided are intended to inform and assist communities in identifying potential alternatives. They are illustrative and are presented to help communities consider possible ways to address current and future climate threats. Read the full disclaimer.
