Tools for Transportation Projects: Best Practices from Thriving Communities
Learn how you can use transportation infrastructure as a tool for community transformation.
Downloads
- MSA NPS DISASTERPREPTOOLKIT (PDF) 11.9 MB
Marion, IA © Uptown Marion
Supporting Resilient Main Streets
Climate change and related disasters are a growing threat to communities across the country — especially for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) communities, which are disproportionately impacted. These events are becoming more frequent, more severe, and more harmful, and Main Streets are not immune.
As of June 2024, 68% of designated Main Street districts are located in climate-vulnerable census tracts, making the need for local disaster preparedness and resilience planning more urgent than ever.
Developed through a partnership with the National Park Service as part of the Main Street Community Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Program, this guide is designed to help Main Street and commercial district organizations:
- Understand local climate risks and vulnerabilities
- Develop proactive plans to mitigate the impact of disasters
- Respond effectively when extreme weather events or climate-related emergencies occur
- Protect historically marginalized communities from disproportionate harm
Plan, Prepare, Respond, and Recover
The Main Street Disaster and Resiliency Toolkit is organized into three sections. Each section provides small steps, incremental advice, and comprehensive guidance to help Main Streets plan, prepare, respond, and recover.
Plan
Part one of the Main Street Disaster and Resilience Toolkit helps local leaders assess important baseline information to avoid duplicating past disaster planning efforts and, most importantly, to find a disaster planning process that suits your Main Street’s current planning needs. Explore here >
Prepare
Part two of the Main Street Disaster and Resilience Toolkit provides steps you can take now to ensure your community will respond more effectively when a disaster occurs. This section also features activities and best practices on how to alleviate or mitigate future disaster damage and disruptions to Main Streets. Explore here >
Respond and Recover
Part three of the Main Street Disaster and Resilience Toolkit explores the tools and strategies that communities can utilize following a natural disaster. This includes guidance on how to navigate the recovery process and how to address critical, longer-term rebuilding needs, such as repairing damaged historic resources, restoring small businesses, and renewing social connections. Explore here >
Webinar: How to Use the Toolkit
Montpelier, VT © Katie Trautz, Montpelier Alive
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Nature-Based Placemaking
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Franklin, Louisiana © Franklin Main Street
State of Main: Fall 2016
Welcome to the inaugural edition of State of Main, the annual publication of Main Street America featuring thought leadership from across the network.
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Use this resource to guide your efforts to established or re-draw the boundaries of your downtown or neighborhood commercial district. Published by Texas Main Street Program.
Older, Smaller, Better
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Evaluate the safety and usability of bike networks in your Main Street commercial district. Published by AARP.
Wayfinding Sign System Guide
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Sterling, Illinois. © Sterling Main Street
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Watch this webinar to learn how you can create welcoming and comfortable third spaces and gathering places outdoors during winter cold months.
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In this AARP guide, learn how small parklets and pedlets can provide vibrant gathering spaces and improve sense of place in your downtown.
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With articles written by industry experts on topics ranging from the transformative placemaking to inclusive entrepreneurship, the publication is brimming with tools, tips, and strategies that will help you lead a results-oriented revitalization effort.
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Guidance on how to evaluate streets, balance transportation needs, and build partnerships with other leaders.
Activating the Main Street Approach through Placemaking
Learn how placemaking principles can be utilized as an implementation strategy of local Main Street efforts to empower community members and create more action-oriented programs
Metuchen, NJ © Lauren Beischer
Designing for Health & Wellbeing Supports Community Prosperity
A look at the connection between the wellbeing of residents and the vitality of communities and explore the wide range of design elements and tools available that will lead to more active, accessible and connected Main Streets. Published in State of Main.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards
Use these accessibility standards to guide you as you make accessibility upgrades in your community. Published by US Access Board.
Chicago, Illinois © Max Bender
Building a Path toward Clean Water and Vibrant Communities
Effective stormwater management is an important element of many streetscaping plans to reduce pollution of your drinking water and other community benefits. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
Green Streets in Iowa
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