What ideas have guided Oxford for All?

Complete Streets is an approach to planning and building streets that considers the safety of all road users. This includes “pedestrians, bicyclists, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of commercial goods, users and operators of public transportation, emergency vehicles, seniors, children, youth, and families” (Berkeley Complete Streets Policy). 

The Complete Streets approach also works to serve groups that experience systemic disinvestment, such as people of color and those who cannot afford to or are unable to drive (Smart Growth America).

Universal and inclusive design principals seek to go beyond simple compliance with ADA requirements to create spaces that are inclusive, comfortable, and usable to people of all abilities. The core principles of universal/inclusive design, originally developed by the North Carolina State University Center for Universal Design, include:

• Equitable use

• Flexibility in use

• Simple and intuitive use

• Perceptible information

• Tolerance for error

• Low physical effort

• Size and space for approach and use

Placemaking is a collaborative process to shape the public realm. Successful placemaking allows a space to have identities that reflect people in the community. There is an emphasis on creating lively and invited spaces that people want to spend time in.

Placekeeping recognizes that some activities can lead to gentrification and real estate speculation. The process of placekeeping is a counter movement that enables local people to care for their space, celebrate local assets, and keep community memories alive.