Monumental Core Projects

Introduction

Beautiful and functional streetscapes contribute to the experience of public life. The Monumental Core Streetscape Guide and Construction Manual (Streetscape Guide) is a resource for federal and local agencies to coordinate streetscape improvements to achieve beautiful and welcoming public spaces that will elevate the iconic form and identity of the monumental core in the capital city. These streetscapes are important to create coherent public spaces along nationally and locally significant corridors, many of which frame views to prominent structures and open spaces.

The Streetscape Guide consists of an urban design framework, design principles and guidelines, and construction details and specifications to guide planning, design, construction, and maintenance. Use of a cohesive palette of durable materials and well-placed furnishings, trees, and plants will establish lovely and coherent public spaces that link the heart of the nation’s capital with Washington’s neighborhoods, enhancing the capital city’s special civic quality that inspires visitors, workers, and residents and cultivates a sense of pride, permanence, and dignity. The Streetscape Guide was completed in May 2025. The construction manual will be completed at the end of 2025.

Background

The Streetscape Manual was first created in 1992 by Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service, Architect of the Capitol, and District Department of Transportation to guide the design and implementation of coordinated and consistent streetscapes in the National Mall and vicinity. In 2005, other agencies joined this federal-local streetscape stewardship effort including NCPC, U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, General Services Administration, National Gallery of Art, and Smithsonian Institution. By 2012, the Streetscape Manual had successfully guided over 25 capital improvement roadway projects; however, agencies recognized the need to update the manual.

Agencies asked NCPC to lead coordination of a two-tiered update of the Screetscape Manual. In 2013, NCPC completed the first step which included documenting existing streetscape elements, removing obsolete information, and reformatting and digitizing the Streetscape Manual. In 2017, NCPC began the next tier of work that entails three primary phases of including developing the following:

1. Urban Design Streetscape Framework, including Federal Lighting Policy
2. Streetscape Design Guidelines
3. Streetscape Construction Manual Amendments

In November 2019, the Commission reviewed and commented favorably on the concept plans for the Streetscape Framework and directed staff to use it as the basis for developing the Streetscape Design Guidelines. In 2020, the Interagency Working Group agreed to develop the Streetscape Guide and update the outdated Streetscape Manual, and the District Office of Planning and Kennedy Center joined the Interagency Working Group as endorsers.

Introduction

Coordinated streetscape guidance is important for streets in the National Mall and vicinity because of the multiple federal and local jurisdictions within this area. Currently, an Interagency Working Group of 11 federal and local agencies coordinates streetscape projects and improvements and uses the 1992 Streetscape Manual to guide consistent streetscape design. The manual contains construction details of common streetscape elements found in the monumental core.

The Streetscape Design Guidelines are the second of three work phases included in the Monumental Core Streetscape Project. The Streetscape Design Guidelines were developed to guide streetscape design character and physical quality including the placement, configuration, and type of streetscape elements such as streetlights, trees, landscapes and plantings, and pavements. The Guidelines coordinate the 1992 Streetscape Manual's construction details with the 2019 Streetscape Framework’s vision for streetscapes in Washington, DC’s monumental core. To learn more about how the Streetscape Design Guidelines relate to the Monumental Core Streetscape Project’s three phases, see the 2019 Streetscape Framework.

Project Status

The Streetscape Design Guidelines are organized into three categories:

• Vertical Elements address streetlights and trees
• Surface Elements address landscapes and plantings; stormwater management; pavements; and pedestrian circulation
• Small-Scale Elements address furnishings and civic infrastructure

These categories are being developed in two parts: the first part addresses the Vertical and Surface Streetscape Elements and the second part addresses the Small-Scale Streetscape Elements.

When complete, the Streetscape Guide and Manual will be for applicant and agency use during streetscape planning, design, review, and construction of new streetscape projects and improvements.

Current Work

The Draft Guidelines for Small-Scale Streetscape Elements were developed by the Interagency Working Group and subject matter experts with input from technical specialists at the DC Department of Public Works, DC Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department, DC Water, and Pepco. NCPC will use public comments to revise the guidelines; staff will present the final guidelines to the Commission for acceptance in fall 2023.

Completed Work

The Commission accepted the Final Guidelines for Vertical and Surface Streetscape Elements on March 2, 2023. These guidelines are being formatted for publication and will be posted on this website. In the interim, the guidelines as presented and accepted by the Commission are available below.

Related Work

In a separate but concurrent effort, NCPC is collaborating with the District of Columbia government to assess and document existing guidance and current practices for streets of shared national-local interest outside the Streetscape Guide and Manual boundary. Currently, agencies are partnering to develop pilot streetscape design guidelines for three streets: (1) 16th Street, NW; (2) Massachusetts Avenue, NW; and (3) South Capitol Street. The purpose of this effort is to help unify the capital city by improving transitions and coordination and will be packaged into the Companion Streetscape Review Guide. Work to document guidance for additional streets will continue during 2023.