San Antonio is making headlines by snagging the top spot on Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition's latest rankings. Their Complete Streets Policy, adopted only last year in 2024, is already shaping up to be a model for the nation, earning a 96 out of 100 points, outpacing the runner-up by seven points. This policy is a thoroughfare for the future, considering everyone from cyclists to bus riders, and set to make the city's streets safer for all, as reported by the City of San Antonio.
Catherine “Cat” Hernandez, Director of the Transportation Department, announced that a toolkit is in development to steer the planning and execution of Complete Streets projects. "San Antonio is excited to be recognized for its work to create safer streets that help those who are our most vulnerable road users," she said, according to the City of San Antonio's official release. With a practical blueprint in hand, public agencies and developers will be better equipped to build streets that respect and incorporate a diversity of transportation modes.
The report from Smart Growth America has sized up 43 new policies across the country, with San Antonio's policy standing out in the crowd. Their Complete Streets approach goes beyond the usual urban planning playbook; it specifically looks out for the pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, transit riders of all abilities and ages, and importantly, those traditionally marginalized by transportation designs. These policies reshape our streets from being just high-speed thoroughfares to becoming inclusive avenues that cater to the needs of every traveler, as stated by the City of San Antonio.
"Complete Streets policies matter in every community because they're designed to meet the specific needs of that place," Heidi Simon, Director of Thriving Communities at Smart Growth America, told reporters, as per the City of San Antonio. She explained that the strongest policies like San Antonio's offer the groundwork for safer and more convenient travel, regardless of the mode. Celebrating local policy innovations and their potential to lead to tangible benefits, Simon noted San Antonio's commitment as an exemplar of proactive urban planning.
