Catalyzing Walkable, Sustainable, and Equitable Urban Development using Innovative Transportation Strategies

The College of Design and Institute of Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University in partnership with Urban Innovators, North Carolina Department of Transportation, City of Greenville, NC, Town of Smithfield, NC, and Strong Towns will demonstrate innovative approaches for converting auto-oriented suburban commercial corridors into walkable, accessible, sustainable, and affordable mixed-use “activity centers” by leveraging cutting edge transportation design innovations. This project relies on state-of-the-art “Placemaking Alternative Intersection” strategies that have great potential to catalyze walkable development along decaying multilane suburban highways. We aim to develop a process that can empower community officials and NCDOT with evidence-based decision making, but also provide tools and strategies that can be used to develop community-specific design guidelines using participatory approaches.