What are stroads, and why do they pose a growing challenge for urbanists?
This article is also available here in Spanish.

What are stroads, and why do they pose a growing challenge for urbanists?

My list

Author | Elvira Esparza

A stroad is the term used to describe a hybrid of a street and a road, combining elements of both. This combination creates challenges that urbanists and planners are working to solve.

The term ‘stroad’ was coined in the United States a decade ago by Charles Marohn, an engineer specializing in urban planning. Urban roads, or stroads arise from combining pedestrian-friendly urban streets lined with shops, restaurants, and services, where driving speeds are controlled, with high-speed, multi-lane roads designed for fast car travel.

Stroads are multi-lane streets designed for vehicles, offering little space for pedestrians or cyclists, yet often connecting to commercial areas in cities. These high-speed streets are typically noisy, polluting, and problematic, pushing urban planners to rethink how public space is designed.

Problems associated with urban roads

Increase in pedestrian collisions and accidents

In the United States, the number of pedestrians involved in traffic incidents has risen to over 7,500, according to the latest figures from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). One reason for this increase is the expansion of urban roads, which are more dangerous due to higher vehicle speeds. Furthermore, these roads often lack sidewalks, marked pedestrian crossings, protected bike lanes, and adequate lighting, all of which contribute to a higher risk of accidents.

In addition, these urban roads pose risks for drivers as well, due to high travel speeds, numerous entry and exit points, and the need to cross multiple lanes to make maneuvers, which are all factors that can easily lead to accidents.

Impact on local business

Stroads can negatively impact local businesses by making it difficult for customers to access shops, while instead encouraging consumption in suburban shopping malls where these roads are more common.

More pollution and noise

Driving at higher speeds increases vehicle emissions, contributing to greenhouse gas buildup and negatively affecting public health. These roads are also noisier due to heavier traffic and because they promote the use of private vehicles over public transportation or cycling.

To address these problems, urbanists and planners emphasize the need to design and build safer, more accessible roads.

How can the problem of stroads be solved?

There are several alternatives for addressing the problems caused by urban streets:

  • Converting the streets into roads. This option involves dedicating space exclusively to cars while implementing measures to improve safety. One measure involves reducing the number of entry and exit points to lower the risk of accidents and restrict access for pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Designing streets for pedestrians. Supporters of this solution advocate removing traffic lanes and replacing them with safer corridors designed for lower vehicle speeds. They also propose adding pedestrian-focused infrastructure, such as marked crosswalks and refuge islands.
  • Creating complete streets that accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and public transport users alike. This idea originated in the United States and Canada, where there is a strong reliance on cars for transportation. These streets include sidewalks, protected bike lanes, wide paved shoulders, dedicated bus lanes, accessible public transport stops, median islands, visible pedestrian signage, and roundabouts. Their design varies depending on whether they are located in town centers, suburban areas, or rural communities.

Stroads converted into streets

stroads

In the United States, there are many examples of urban roads being redesigned as pedestrian-friendly streets.

Lancaster, a city in Southern California’s desert region, transformed a five-lane road into a two-lane street with a tree-lined central boulevard that serves as public space for events like festivals and markets. It has since become the city’s cultural and economic center.

In San Diego, La Jolla Boulevard was created by narrowing a five-lane urban road to two lanes, adding roundabouts and side parking areas. Lowering speed limits has led to reduced noise and fewer traffic accidents, while retail sales have increased thanks to improved pedestrian accessibility.

In Spain, one of the most notable examples of a complete street is Avenida Gasteiz in Vitoria, featuring wide tree-lined sidewalks, dedicated cycling lanes, integrated tram service, and a road design aimed at minimizing the impact of motorized traffic.

Images Marek Lumi  Ramy Robson

Related Content

Recommended profiles for you

PP
Paulina Piuzzi
Colaborativa
RP
Rui Paiva
Resopark
Board Member
HE
haitham Elsenosi
GTS
GC
Gerd Castan
Attractions Map
MR
MARIA RULL
Town Hall Olesa de Montserrat, Barcelona
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
PS
Phil Siriwardena
Connected ID Ltd
Commercial Director
JF
José Fernández
Itancia
Field Sales Specialist
TT
Teemu Terttunen
Bout
Co-Founder, COO
DA
David Antelo
Alcobendas Hub
Director.
MR
Melissa Rossi
Outrider
AM
ANDRÉS MARTINEZ LEYVA
BIC Euronova S.A
European Project Assistant (Intern)
DP
Donatas Pocius
STUART ENERGY
BE
Bart Eelen Eelen
Toyota Motor Europe
Senior Manager
PC
Paulo Cantillano
Pluservice
Project Specialist
MJ
Martin Jönsson
Business Sweden
Program Manager - Smart Transportation
DT
Dimitrios Thanos
Mainzer Mobilität
CH
carlos hoyos
metro 1
senior
AT
Abraham Tapia Tapia
Etupsa 73
Accionista
LR
Lara-Franziska Rogowski
Westenergie AG
Senior Sales Manager Smart Pole Factory of Westenergie AG
JB
Jess Brant
SiFi Networks