Lesson 20 - Corridor Planning Flashcards
What is corridor planning?
Corridor planning most typically refers to roadways, but can also apply to waterways and greenways as well. Corridor planning can happen at the multi-national, multi-state, state, or local level.
Corridor Transportation Planning
Corridor transportation planning typically occurs at the regional level. Corridor planning allows the region’s governments and responsible agencies to coordinate in major transportation planning projects. Corridor planning identifies the long-range transportation needs along the corridor, evaluates alternatives, and implements strategies addressing these needs. Most corridor transportation planning is conducted by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
National Corridor Planning
The National Corridor Planning and Development Program is a grant program that is funded as part of MAP-21. This program provides funding for planning, project development, construction, and operation of projects in border regions near Mexico and Canada. This program funds corridor planning and multi-state coordination among other things. To learn more about the National Corridor Planning and Development program, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website.
Scenic Corridor Planning
The Federal Highway Administration developed the National Scenic Byways Program in 1992. The purpose of the program is to designate and fund enhancements of scenic highways across the U.S. In order to receive Scenic Byway Designation, the roadway must have archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. As part of the designation process, a Corridor Management Plan must be prepared. This plan documents the roadway’s intrinsic qualities, identifies goals and strategies, includes an implementation timeline, and identifies responsible parties. To learn more about the National Scenic Byways Program, visit America’s Byways.
In addition to the National Scenic Byway Program, most states offer their own state-level byway program. For example, the Mississippi Scenic Byway program has similar requirements as the national program.
Greenways and Blueways Planning
In addition to planning for roadway corridors, planners also are responsible for planning green and blue corridors. These are often referred to as Greenways and Blueways. While greenways and blueways plans can be created at the local level, they are often most effective at a regional level. For example, creating a blueway plan for the length of a river in the region or providing connectivity between blueways and greenways to create regional recreational opportunities. Greenway and blueways plans can achieve a number of goals including:
Protecting natural resources;
Providing alternative transportation options;
Connecting neighborhoods with recreational opportunities;
Promoting healthy communities;
Creating economic development opportunities.
Greenbelts
Greenbelts are undeveloped natural land areas that have been set aside for the purposes of open space and recreation. Greenbelts provide a link for urban residents with nature. The nonprofit Greenbelt Alliance has successfully lobbied for the establishment of 21 urban growth boundaries across four counties surrounding San Francisco.
National Heritage Areas
National Heritage Areas are places where natural, cultural and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. These are designed by Congress and can be found on the National Park Service website. Some National Heritage Areas are National Heritage Corridors. The Delaware and LeHigh National Heritage Corridor is an example of a heritage trail.
Tourism Corridor Planning
Tourism Corridor Planning refers to efforts to link social, cultural and economic drivers between communities for the purposes of supporting tourism. For example, along Interstate 80 there is a working group focused on tourism corridor planning. Tompkins County, New York has a tourism corridor plan.
The Project for Public Spaces has a report on Great Corridors, Great Communities.
