Abstract Although transport development has shifted from to people-oriented paradigm, urban design practices are far lagging behind in China. One fundamental reason is the lack of a new classification system as well as relevant technical guidance adapting with the transformation. This paper aims to find a reclassification approach which could balance the different requirements of mobility, street activity and green transport priority, and provide a better basis for urban planning and design. This paper firstly reviews the provisions of classification in the current code for transport planning and urban road of China, and points out the defects of the single classification standard based on mobility, which resulted in many problems such as inadequate bus priority, squeezed space for non-motorized transport and street life decay. Then, it compares the international practices of classification updates and adjustments; and further clarifies the relationship from three aspects of mobility and place, multi-modes and differentiated priorities, as well as standardization and flexibility of classification system, thereby establishing a theoretical framework for urban reclassification. In the background of green transport and street revival, this paper argues the necessity of urban reclassification, and proposes a three-dimensional classification system integrating hierarchy of mobility, types of street activity and travel mode priority. The new HAM system is expected to provide a more balanced, comprehensive and flexible approach for urban design accommodating multi-modes of green transport and a variety of street activities, to meet the policy shift from the car-oriented to the people-oriented.