How This Car-Free Neighborhood Unlocks Sustainable Cities
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- Опубликовано: 16 июн 2024
- Culdesac, a new car-free community in Tempe, Arizona, is the most Edenic urban space I have seen. Join me on a recent visit and conversation with its CEO Ryan Johnson-who explained how to unlock sustainability in the US and design our way out of the loneliness epidemic. This was all the more amazing because I could see every visionary idea coming to life around me during my brief stay. Have a look!
How This Car-Free Neighborhood Unlocks Sustainable Cities @edenicity
Some other great videos of Culdesac:
• The Pop Up City That’s...
• Living car-free in the...
• Americas Newest Car Fr...
• A conversation w/ Culd...
• Culdesac Tempe: A car-...
• Join me as I ride to t...
Culdesac online:
youtube.com/@liveculdesac?si=...
culdesac.com
culdesac.com/tour
guide.culdesac.com/
culdesac.com/blog/post/what-i...
Sources:
culdesac.com
culdesac.com/blog/post/the-be...
www.nar.realtor/magazine/real...
Filmed on location February 1-2, 2024 by Kev Polk. Featuring Culdesac CEO Ryan Johnson and Marketing Director Rob Maloney. Selected images courtesy of Pexels and Culdesac.
To download the Edenicity Reference Design and get periodic announcements:
www.edenicity.com/design.html
Chapters:
0:00 Walkable!
0:50 Sustainability unlocked
1:12 The biggest harms
1:31 The breakthrough
1:59 Your new friend
2:27 Arrival
3:24 A community is born
4:19 eBike
5:11 Unlocking sustainability
6:04 Zoning
6:32 Removing cars
7:16 Loneliness epidemic
7:50 Who Wants to Live There?
8:15 Desert living?
8:56 Growth plans
9:24 New developments
10:17 Five pillars
10:44 Partnerships 
Наука
*Where would you like to see this happen next?*
I'll go first 😎 I’d love to see something like this in Columbus, Ohio, which is growing fast. The main obstacles are: parking minimums, inadequate public transit, bike trails stranded among truly hostile streets (unprotected lanes; lighted crossing signs instead of proper signals; incredible amounts of tire-popping debris). Getting Columbus Culdesac Ready would get us most of the way to Edenicity Ready.
We're looking for land in Chicago. We plan to build an affordable community....similar to Culdesac and the Cargo District in Willmington, NC. I've toured both locations and they are quite inspiring. No cars, mom&pop shops, event center, greenhouse, tiny homes, etc. As you stated, parking minimums, transit, zoning, etc are all obstacles BUT....we are also mired in the investor phase. How do you get these types of projects funded after you tackle those "logistical" obstacles?
@@darilynkotzenberg9344 Thanks for the vote! I’ll try and pass along videos of funding tips as I learn more.
It doesn’t have to be this big either. 1 acre next to a significant transit point is a good start when paired with mixed uses, live work & some affordable units. Fit phase I without the parking lot in existing areas & we can make significant progress!
Kansas City! There are several totally empty blocks within the east side of the highway loop that bounds downtown. This "East Village" has been kept as parking lots by land speculators anticipating a controversial stadium that now looks to be going elsewhere. Extreme walkability to downtown offices, entertainment, the streetcar, buses, and bike routes. I measured, and six blocks here including roads between is equal to Culdesac's Tempe site.
@ttopero So true. Cities could even pair this with land bank incentives for social housing,, as discussed in my Four Cities book on edenicity.com
Would love to see this ANYWHERE around DFW! Also, Western Michigan where a number of towns along Lake Michigan already have some degree of walkability due to their age, but it would be great to see something new and purpose built there that doesn't echo the harmful building practices of the last 100 years. Basically something that supports what they've already got rather than destroying it.
Noted! Thanks for the votes!
I just read about a planned community called Fields Frisco. They claim to be a walkable community but the concept looks like more of a high rise feel.
@cadynreyes6369 looks like Frisco's part of the emerging Dallas constellation city. The key to its success would be an aggressive focus on passenger rail into Dallas, specifically connecting with a transit hub serving future high speed rail between Dallas and Houston. Don’t know the present status of DART and TCR, but those moves would enable transit oriented design, making Frisco more Culdesac-ready, hence Edenicity-ready.
Interesting concept but my main complaint, same with similar places that try to do the same, is that these urban/pedestrian friendly developments aren't for the poor or working class. These type of developments are great for the middle class and people that can afford it. This would actually be impressive if it had better design and better prices than the surrounding area.
This sentiment is understandable. However, a huge factor to its price is demand. Since we haven't been building these types of environments for 70 years, the ones that we have retained from earlier are in huge demand due to low supply. If we keep building more neighborhoods like this and reduce construction of car dependent areas, we can lower the price of living in these areas. Additionally, there may be many cost reductions that are hidden. One such cost is car ownership, which is $10k a year on average in the US, all costs combined.
@@matthk6528 So, as usual, the poor and working class are the last to get any benefits, same as every other corporation actually. They could have actually price capped the rent and use rent control, which would at least make working class people as likely to get some units.
Secondly, although this place is next to a rail station, most people would probably still need a car in a city like Tempe. Not every job is bike distance from a station. And despite what this video suggests, biking in summer in Tempe is mostly a miserable experience.
@@tymiller176to your first point: I mean, that's still an option? At the very least during the time we transition to building more of these types of neighborhoods. In fact, I completely agree that lower income people deserve places like this too.
Also, the more of them we build, the closer we can live to our jobs and not rely on cars. I agree that the reality is that in a lot of the US you need a car. To our detriment, the US developed infrastructure specifically favoring cars over people. But right now, we have the ability to build more places at a human scale. It will get cheaper with time both due to increasing supply and because of increased knowledge in how to build and incorporate these areas into existing urban fabrics more efficiently and cheaply.
@@matthk6528 Not only do poor people deserve this too, I would argue they need it *more*. People with money already have options to live in more pedestrian friendly areas.
Again, the working class are always the last to enjoy any benefits while the rich have first dibs. I'm still waiting for an organization like this to focus on needs based and underprivileged populations. *That* would be revolutionary. This org is just like any other developer but with slightly better design, that's it.
@@tymiller176 I get the desire to help the underprivileged, but that is not the point of any developments. It is to make money and provide public spaces. Some do it while helping the poor, but that's never their main concern (as shitty as that is, and no I don't agree with it). What you are searching for is not a change in developers, you're searching for a *societal* change. Guess what. You're in the right place! And you're asking good questions. Most individuals who supports these types of projects are on your side. In the US, it'll take time because developers are conservative in the sense of changing due to societal change. But developers like these are at least taking steps to alleviate past wrongs.
It's not perfect, and I do not want to lick developers' boots. But these kinds of changes in building habits are reflections of positive societal changes that have been happening for the last few decades and are directly related to the changes you are looking for. These places are almost always successful. Once more people catch on, there will be more affordable places like this. Advocacy goes a long way to get this to happen. Regulatory laws and rent control may offer help as well.
In terms of organizations, I would look into strong towns. They're an urbanism advocacy group focused on creating and maintaining "Strong Towns" which are walkable and equitable places built for the people who live there, not for cars.
Thank you so much for spotlighting some good news regarding walkable neighborhoods and sustainable development! This could truly be a first domino leading to more and more developments like it. Especially if it delivers on these three things; 1) popular with tenants and businesses 2) profitable for municipalities through increased tax revenue and lowered infrastructure costs 3) developers get their bag (because face it, if they get much better profit margins from other types of developments they will just keep doing that)
My pleasure-I sure hope it's the first domino, too. And thanks for the 3 criteria. They're certainly worth tracking.
This kinda reminds me of a village in Spain.
Not a coincidence: the climate-responsive design was inspired by 1880s Barrio Viejo in Tucson, Arizona and historic European villages, according to the 1st & 2nd videos linked in Description.
meanwhile in spain we are building american style suburbs. god have mercy
@@toddberkely6791 Sorry to hear that.
@@edenicity it will only last as long as fuel remains cheap...
That is just amazing!
Good to see!
If we can just get one of these as a test model in each state, then we can make some real changes! :D
That would be great! The operative phrase from Ryan Johnson in the video was "Culdesac ready." Clearly on this channel I'll be looking into what it takes for cities to be Edenicity ready.
culdesac is an ironic name but amazing that this is happening
Agreed!
Great start
Seeing the construction in its context just before opening, I’m concerned that we’re hailing this as the perfect solution of a so called neighborhood. It’s definitely got some good bones as a car-light subdivision (many will still use a car service when the LRT doesn’t get them where they want to go) but it’s not a place most can live AND work with an income to support the rents. Kirsten Dunst’s video is the best I’ve seen showing the livability features including live-work options for a few units, but employment is a train or bike ride away, as is most desirable entertainment. We praise but also keep pushing for the better neighborhood options that bring more diversity & options for living.
soo cool !! Thank's
I want to live here so bad
Great video, thanks!
Thanks, it was my pleasure!
Pinellas county florida needs this
Thanks for the vote!
Awesome video, exciting to see the cycling opportunities that exist in a desert city.
Thanks! And who knows, maybe we'll see solar panel-shaded bike paths there, too, someday. 🌞😎
Would like it better if it also included the ability to purchase condos and townhomes. It is disappointing that it only includes apartments. To live there you would locked into forever paying ‘market’ rents and forgo any equity based wealth accumulation.
@jciquest Kirsten Dirksen's video mentioned that Culdesac is looking into purchase options.
And their next expansion. They said that they would put options to buy condos, I don't know about townhouses however.
One issue I have with car Free living spaces is there's not a good way to get to work without a car. Right now they're building car free apartments next to my train station but it only works if their job is along the train station. They're also aren't grocery stores within walking distance.
Interesting that another car-free space is in the works. Where do you live?
It's a gradual process. The first adopters will be people who can work along the existing train lines. If the initial transit-oriented development is popular, there will be demand for more train/bus/subway lines, and more jobs will move either directly to these areas, or to areas accessible by public transit
Is it affordable? What's the appeal for people who aren't 20-something tech workers just moving out of their dorms? It seems like it's all expense, and there is no way to build equity.
I applaud the effort, but it will take many years before this can be given a pass or fail.
Shhh…it’s not what he wants to hear!
Good questions. Kirsten Dirksen addresses these in the second linked video in the Description. Summary: rents are comparable to lower-amenity apartments downtown, and Culdesac is considering offering purchase options.
I saw a range of ages, but it did tilt young. Can't speak for them, but in my view, post-2008, with high workforce mobility and half of US cities depopulating, home equity is not the sure bet it used to be.
It’s not super affordable right now because there is no way to do that without gigantic waiting lists forming. A lot more places like this must this be built.
@@unconventionalideas5683 Agreed!
I agree with@@unconventionalideas5683 , expensive areas are typically expensive because of high demand. Building a triplex is cheaper than building three detached homes of the same size (meaning each unit the same size as each detached home) - if you compare within an area of comparable demand, rather than comparing a famous city to a suburb, you see this borne out in prices
I´m happy somewhere in the US people are able to make a car free neighborhood, if one succeeds then it will spread out gradually over time.
But do keep in mind, bad actors exist to shut these things down..
I DO LIKE GREEN.. SOMEONE tell Prescott valley
No solar powered trams?😢
Well there is a tram stop out front and I would bet that at least some of its power comes from solar at this point.
@joshdoz9234 Right? But seriously, after nearly six decades of watching the built world getting ever less sustainable, achieving three of those 5 pillars (OK 6 with public transit) was pure jubilation for me.
@AlRoderick Good points--Arizona is 2x as good for solar as Ohio where I base most of my analysis, and (Googles) there's a ton of large-scale solar being built in AZ.
Maybe the Marketing Director for Culdesac isn't the best choice to speak candidly about the experience of living there. To me it looks extremely barren and isolated.
Semi-accurate: the Hub is built for 1,000 residents of 760 planned units. Something like 100 have moved into the 176 units built to date.
Its a planned community, like Parkchester in NYC but much more dense. Looks too condensed. We need more planned communities.
Thanks. The condensed, shaded aspect is specific to the hot, dry climate. I had the same feeling you did wandering towns in the Greek Isles. Letting in more light would indeed be a better fit to places such as NYC.
So…Europe?
Just like Europe
They could have put more effort into the architecture tho, this bland minimalist style isn't attractive at all, some Mediterranean vernacular architecture would have been charming and not more expensive.
You can't put everything people need in a car free 15 minute city. Let's say your grandparents are in a care home, is that withing the city? Every medical specialist? What about paperwork you need from your state capital, will there be a branch in every 15 min city? How about immigration, that's by multi state region, will there be a local office in every 15 min city? What about medical emergencies? What about hospitals for that matter, will all hospitals in your 15 min city be able to handle any and all situations with all the equipment needed? That's just a few things off the top of my head, there's hundreds maybe thousands of problems with this, just in practical every day needs, let alone wants... It's nonsense, keep it in Europe.
That’s why the built it next to the tram/streetcar/light rail line. You _still_ don’t need a car if a train takes you the rest of the way instead.
You're right, this video is so one sided. It completely ignores basic needs for people, like carrying bags full of groceries because no car. Such neighborhoods are segregated areas for the fancy, green, rich.
True how do you move in
"15 minute cities" are supposed to have everything you need *every day* within walking distance. Or everything you need in a typical day, anyway. You mention immigration centers -- something few people will need access to except for perhaps a very limited, one-time window of their life -- we all agree with you that it's not needed in every neighborhood. You also mention paperwork from the capital -- I can attest from starting my own business that all of that paperwork can be found online and mailed, sometimes faxed, or occasionally emailed (if your state is on the cutting edge of 1995... sadly a rarity). But if you do need to go in person, that's a rare trip for most of the population, as well; so we are again in agreement that it's not necessary in every neighborhood
Nonsense. Car free cities are an annoyance for the residents and the only people constantly living there are very eco-green people who thus create a ghetto of people sharing their own set of beliefs.
People who need to go to work, or can't afford a garage place, struggle to pay rent can't live in those housing projects.
A walkable, cycle-able city can still allow cars. It's not mutually exclusive.
Most people also don't want high density community. They want peace and quiet.
These dense neighborhoods are very loud and crowded. For families that's good. For workers not so much.
It's basically bruralistic architecture disguised as idealistic utopia.