‘People are happier in a walkable neighborhood’: the US community that banned cars

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🗞️ Driving the news: Phoenix, Arizona, not typically known for sustainable initiatives, has become home to a pioneering endeavor: Culdesac, the first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in modern US history
• From derelict buildings and an old car body shop, a 17-acre car-less oasis has sprouted, promoting a walkable, human-centric environment

🔭 The context: While the neighborhood welcomed its initial 36 residents recently, it's projected to accommodate approximately 1,000 residents when all 760 units are finished by 2025
• Breaking from the conventional American housing model, Culdesac incorporates amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, and yoga studios within the community, challenging conventional zoning laws

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: With transportation being the largest contributor to US greenhouse gas emissions, communities like Culdesac offer not only an environmentally-friendly alternative but also a chance to rebuild the societal fabric that has been lost to car-centric urban designs
• Such models present a way to reduce emissions and encourage social cohesion

⏭️ What's next: Culdesac represents a divergence from the entrenched American car culture and poses a challenge for other cities to adapt to this model
• Ryan Johnson, co-founder of Culdesac, is optimistic and plans to bring this concept to other cities, reflecting the potential shift in urban planning and living

💬 One quote: “Today in the US we only build two kinds of housing... People are happier and healthier, and even wealthier when they’re living in a walkable neighborhood,” (Ryan Johnson, Co-founder of Culdesac)

📈 One stat: Around nine in 10 Americans own a car, with merely a tenth relying on public transport regularly, highlighting the significance of innovative models like Culdesac and the challenge they pose to current norms

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