'It's like being in Greece': The US neighbourhood where cars are banned

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on BBC News or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: In Tempe, Arizona, Culdesac is the first car‑free neighborhood in the US built from scratch, designed entirely around people, not vehicles
• Narrow walkways, whitewashed buildings, and lively public plazas replace roads, evoking the feel of a Mediterranean village
• The 17-acre community opened in 2023 and bans private cars entirely — even residents can’t park on-site

🔭 The context: Culdesac sits in greater Phoenix, one of America’s most car‑dependent metros, where public transit is limited and summer temps often top 100°F
• Its founders, including architect Daniel Parolek, were inspired by walkable towns in Italy, Greece, and Mexico
• With cafes, shops, a doctor’s office, gym, coworking space, and access to light rail and e‑bikes, Culdesac aims to be “car-free but mobility-rich”

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Car-light living dramatically cuts carbon emissions — by up to 3.6 tonnes per person per year, according to UN estimates
• When fully occupied, Culdesac could prevent ~3,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually
• It also tackles urban heat: Harvard researchers found its ground temperatures were up to 40°F cooler than nearby pavement thanks to white roofs, shaded paseos, and zero asphalt

⏭️ What’s next: As the community grows toward 760 homes and 1,000 residents, it could become a model for car-free urban design in suburban America
• Its success may influence future zoning, cooling strategies, and mobility planning in hot, car-centric cities

💬 One quote: “Being in Culdesac has taught me that I much prefer the concept of the 15-minute city” — Sheryl Murdock, resident and postdoc in ocean sustainability

📈 One stat: In 2023, Culdesac’s surface temperature measured 30–40°F cooler than surrounding areas, thanks to smart design and no cars

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