During the project development process, the social and environmental impacts of proposed projects are identified and evaluated. These impacts to sensitive resources should be avoided or, if unavoidable, minimized and mitigated. Many decisions are made throughout the project development process in relation to social and environmental impacts.

Collaborative design to achieve the multiple objectives of safety, mobility, environmental protection, and livability requires a different mindset on the part of all stakeholders.  Flexibility is necessary to achieve a balanced outcome of technical functionality, environment, and aesthetics.  Designs may need to change based on the emerging interests of the community, as well as changing national and state policies.

 

Context-Sensitive Solutions provides opportunities to minimize impacts to the environment and the community by allowing stakeholders to be a part of the project from the very beginning and to share in the design process.