Quick and creative street projects
December 22, 2021
A report prepared by Stantec and partners for the Barr Foundation shows that simple changes can have big impacts
Cities and towns across Massachusetts are implementing innovations on their streets—and creating safer, more vibrant public spaces for all. These changes are mostly simple: making space for chairs and tables for neighbors to sit and chat, slowing down traffic via cones so kids can play and bike to school, and painting bus lanes for essential workers to travel faster. However, by prioritizing people on our streets, these designs are having a big impact.
To support and elevate this important work, Stantec and partners prepared a report for the Barr Foundation with examples and impact data from 23 municipalities over the course of 2020 and 2021, highlighting changes ranging from traffic calming to job creation.
To learn more, download the free report.
Share
-
Starting with individual people and how they make their transportation choices, Liza focuses on developing plans that expand their mobility options.
Contact Liza
{
"headline": "Related Ideas",
"link": {
"text":"View More Ideas",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/market\/urban\u002Dplaces.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "7201f341\u002D3013\u002D4a9c\u002D8a75\u002D4bdaef00fc15",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 0 - Unlocking the power of a design metaphor to help rebuild Ukraine",
"link": {
"text":"Unlocking the power of a design metaphor to help rebuild Ukraine",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/unlocking\u002Dpower\u002Dof\u002Da\u002Ddesign\u002Dmetaphor\u002Dto\u002Dhelp\u002Drebuild\u002Dukraine.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/landing\u002Dpages\/news\u002Dblogs\/2025\/state\u002Dtax\u002Duniversity\u002Dukraine\u002D3.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Unlocking the power of a design metaphor to help rebuild Ukraine",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 1 - Stantec’s Top 10 Ideas from 2025: AI to ZenDen",
"link": {
"text":"Stantec’s Top 10 Ideas from 2025: AI to ZenDen",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/stantecs\u002Dtop\u002D10\u002Dideas\u002Dfrom\u002D2025\u002Dai\u002Dto\u002Dzenden.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0071\/kaitoke\u002Dflume\u002Dbridge\u002D4.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Stantec’s Top 10 Ideas from 2025: AI to ZenDen",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 2 - 9 strategies for community revitalization: Lessons learned from Ukraine housing design",
"link": {
"text":"9 strategies for community revitalization: Lessons learned from Ukraine housing design",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/9\u002Dstrategies\u002Dfor\u002Dcommunity\u002Drevitalization\u002Dlessons\u002Dlearned\u002Dfrom\u002Dukraine\u002Dhousing\u002Ddesign.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0031\/kharkiv\u002Dhealing\u002Dnetwork\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "9 strategies for community revitalization: Lessons learned from Ukraine housing design",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 3 - How can urban planners drive equitable planning practices in a changing landscape?",
"link": {
"text":"How can urban planners drive equitable planning practices in a changing landscape?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/how\u002Dcan\u002Durban\u002Dplanners\u002Ddrive\u002Dequitable\u002Dplanning\u002Dpractices\u002Din\u002Da\u002Dchanging\u002Dlandscape.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/boston\u002Dadobestock\u002D403050102.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How can urban planners drive equitable planning practices in a changing landscape?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 4 - Affordable housing design: 10 ways to focus on engagement in residential projects",
"link": {
"text":"Affordable housing design: 10 ways to focus on engagement in residential projects",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/affordable\u002Dhousing\u002Ddesign\u002D10\u002Dways\u002Dto\u002Dfocus\u002Don\u002Dengagement\u002Din\u002Dresidential\u002Dprojects.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0136\/bunker\u002Dhill\u002D246433.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Affordable housing design: 10 ways to focus on engagement in residential projects",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 5 - Covering your highway: Here’s a how-to guide to reconnect your communities",
"link": {
"text":"Covering your highway: Here’s a how\u002Dto guide to reconnect your communities",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/covering\u002Dyour\u002Dhighway\u002Dhow\u002Dto\u002Dguide\u002Dto\u002Dreconnect\u002Dyour\u002Dcommunities.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0136\/el\u002Dpaso\u002Ddowntown\u002Ddeck\u002Dplaza\u002D259055.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Covering your highway: Here’s a how\u002Dto guide to reconnect your communities",
"overwriteSubhead": "Webinar Recording",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 6 - Is a mix of housing missing from your mall redevelopment equation?",
"link": {
"text":"Is a mix of housing missing from your mall redevelopment equation?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/5\u002Dsteps\u002Dto\u002Dhelp\u002Dredeveloping\u002Dmalls\u002Dadd\u002Dhousing.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0085\/great\u002Dstreets\u002Dimplementation\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Is a mix of housing missing from your mall redevelopment equation?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 7 - Design Quarterly Issue 23 | Technology update ",
"link": {
"text":"Design Quarterly Issue 23 | Technology update ",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/publication\/2024\/stantec\u002Ddesign\u002Dquarterly\u002Dissue\u002D23.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/004\/stantec\u002Ddesign\u002Dquarterly\u002Dissue\u002D23.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Design Quarterly Issue 23 | Technology update ",
"overwriteSubhead": "Publication",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 8 - Placemaking for innovation: Creating innovation ecosystems",
"link": {
"text":"Placemaking for innovation: Creating innovation ecosystems",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/placemaking\u002Dfor\u002Dinnovation\u002Dcreating\u002Dinnovation\u002Decosystems.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0134\/south\u002Dend\u002Dexchange\u002Dboston\u002D131018.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Placemaking for innovation: Creating innovation ecosystems",
"overwriteSubhead": "Webinar Recording",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 9 - Enhancing Montreal’s public spaces through strategic urban design",
"link": {
"text":"Enhancing Montreal’s public spaces through strategic urban design",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2024\/enhancing\u002Dmontreals\u002Dpublic\u002Dspaces\u002Dthrough\u002Dstrategic\u002Durban\u002Ddesign.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/025\/victoria\u002Dsquare\u002Dmontreal\u002Dadobestock\u002D175104236.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Enhancing Montreal’s public spaces through strategic urban design",
"overwriteSubhead": "Report",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 10 - Large-scale redevelopment projects need to learn from small-scale historic neighborhoods",
"link": {
"text":"Large\u002Dscale redevelopment projects need to learn from small\u002Dscale historic neighborhoods",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/large\u002Dscale\u002Dredevelopment\u002Dprojects\u002Dneed\u002Dto\u002Dlearn\u002Dfrom\u002Dsmall\u002Dscale\u002Dhistoric\u002Dneighborhoods.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0016\/park\u002Dhill\u002Dgolf\u002Dcourse\u002Dredevelopment\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Large\u002Dscale redevelopment projects need to learn from small\u002Dscale historic neighborhoods",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 11 - Preparing for building performance standards in cities",
"link": {
"text":"Preparing for building performance standards in cities",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/preparing\u002Dfor\u002Dbuilding\u002Dperformance\u002Dstandards\u002Dcities.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/025\/building\u002Dwindows\u002Dadobestock\u002D238024924.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Preparing for building performance standards in cities",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 12 - Prioritizing environmental justice on a $3 billion transportation megaproject",
"link": {
"text":"Prioritizing environmental justice on a $3 billion transportation megaproject",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/prioritizing\u002Denvironmental\u002Djustice\u002D3\u002Dbillion\u002Ddollar\u002Dtransportation\u002Dmegaproject.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/i\u002D526\u002Denvironmental\u002Djustice.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Prioritizing environmental justice on a $3 billion transportation megaproject",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 13 - How Albany converted an underused highway ramp into a city park",
"link": {
"text":"How Albany converted an underused highway ramp into a city park",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/how\u002Dalbany\u002Dconverted\u002Dan\u002Dunderused\u002Dinterstate\u002Dramp\u002Dinto\u002Da\u002Dcity\u002Dpark.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0103\/albany\u002Dskyway\u002D204689.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How Albany converted an underused highway ramp into a city park",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 14 - What is a comprehensive plan? 6 steps to help your city",
"link": {
"text":"What is a comprehensive plan? 6 steps to help your city",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/what\u002Dis\u002Da\u002Dcomprehensive\u002Dplan\u002D6\u002Dsteps\u002Dto\u002Dhelp\u002Dyour\u002Dcity.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0028\/moorhead\u002Dcenter\u002Dmall\u002D2.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "What is a comprehensive plan? 6 steps to help your city",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 15 - How investing in downtowns fosters community and economic growth",
"link": {
"text":"How investing in downtowns fosters community and economic growth",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2023\/how\u002Dinvesting\u002Din\u002Ddowntowns\u002Dfosters\u002Dcommunity\u002Deconomic\u002Dgrowth.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/calgary\u002Ddowntown\u002Dcharrette.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How investing in downtowns fosters community and economic growth",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 16 - Catalyzing Calgary’s Downtown West",
"link": {
"text":"Catalyzing Calgary’s Downtown West",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2023\/catalyzing\u002Dcalgarys\u002Ddowntown\u002Dwest.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/024\/downtown\u002Dcalgary\u002Dadobestock\u002D222903014.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Catalyzing Calgary’s Downtown West",
"overwriteSubhead": "Report",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 17 - Got yourself a deal? M&A lessons from Stantec",
"link": {
"text":"Got yourself a deal? M\x26A lessons from Stantec",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2023\/got\u002Dyourself\u002Da\u002Ddeal\u002Dm\u002Da\u002Dlessons\u002Dfrom\u002Dstantec.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/landing\u002Dpages\/acquisitions\/linmere\u002Dbarton\u002Dwillmore.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Got yourself a deal? M\x26A lessons from Stantec",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 18 - Mall of the Future Webinar Series",
"link": {
"text":"Mall of the Future Webinar Series",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2023\/mall\u002Dof\u002Dthe\u002Dfuture\u002Dwebinar\u002Dseries.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0112\/the\u002Damazing\u002Dbrentwood\u002D183642.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Mall of the Future Webinar Series",
"overwriteSubhead": "Webinar Recording",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 19 - Supporting healthier and more resilient communities through investments in mobility",
"link": {
"text":"Supporting healthier and more resilient communities through investments in mobility",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2023\/supporting\u002Dhealthier\u002Dmore\u002Dresilient\u002Dcommunities\u002Dthrough\u002Dinvestments\u002Din\u002Dmobility.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/025\/orange\u002Drental\u002Dbicycles\u002Dadobestock\u002D698555303.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Supporting healthier and more resilient communities through investments in mobility",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 20 - Retrofitting Hammond, IN’s downtown core from car-centric to a walkable neighborhood",
"link": {
"text":"Retrofitting Hammond, IN’s downtown core from car\u002Dcentric to a walkable neighborhood",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2023\/retrofitting\u002Dhammond\u002Din\u002Ddowntown\u002Dcore\u002Dfrom\u002Dcar\u002Dcentric\u002Dto\u002Dwalkable\u002Dneighborhood.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0003\/retrofitting\u002Dhammond\u002Ddowntown\u002Dcore.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Retrofitting Hammond, IN’s downtown core from car\u002Dcentric to a walkable neighborhood",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 21 - VR and community outreach programs: Building social acceptance with immersive technology",
"link": {
"text":"VR and community outreach programs: Building social acceptance with immersive technology",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/vr\u002Dand\u002Dcommunity\u002Doutreach\u002Dprograms\u002Dbuilding\u002Dsocial\u002Dacceptance\u002Dwith\u002Dimmersive\u002Dtechnology.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0129\/wellington\u002Dbasin\u002Dmontreal\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "VR and community outreach programs: Building social acceptance with immersive technology",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 22 - Learn strategies to guide our communities in unlocking new urban opportunities",
"link": {
"text":"Learn strategies to guide our communities in unlocking new urban opportunities",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2023\/learn\u002Dstrategies\u002Dto\u002Dguide\u002Dour\u002Dcommunities\u002Din\u002Dunlocking\u002Dnew\u002Durban\u002Dopportunities.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0129\/water\u002Dstreet\u002Dtampa\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Learn strategies to guide our communities in unlocking new urban opportunities",
"overwriteSubhead": "Webinar",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 23 - 5 trends from CES that will majorly impact the built environment",
"link": {
"text":"5 trends from CES that will majorly impact the built environment",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/5\u002Dtrends\u002Dfrom\u002Dces\u002Dthat\u002Dwill\u002Dmajorly\u002Dimpact\u002Dthe\u002Dbuilt\u002Denvironment.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/022\/electric\u002Dvehicle\u002Dadobestock\u002D335360739.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "5 trends from CES that will majorly impact the built environment",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}