District of Columbia Public Realm Design Handbook  The public realm is a vital aspect of the built environment that helps to give a city its identity. It primarily consists of the roadways, sidewalks, parks, plazas, and other open spaces that comprise the arteries and focal points of the urban framework. It is the main space where civic interaction occurs and is often defined in contrast to private property. A well designed public realm balances the mobility and access needs for all users and contributes to the effi cient functioning of a city and its sense of place. The quality of our public realm is at the heart of how we experience and relate to the surrounding environment. Therefore, it is important that the public realm is safe, sustainable, and enriching. Section Pages* Full Document* (35 MB) Cover, Preface, City's Letter, Table of Content*   Introduction | 5 | Purpose of Handbook | 6 | Elements of the Public Realm | 7 | Types of Streets | 8 – 11 | Public Realm Zones | 12 – 15 | Features of the Public Realm | 16 – 37 | * This document is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF). A PDF reader is required for viewing. Download a PDF Reader or Learn More About PDFs. « Return to main Transportation Planning & Policy page