Car-centric infrastructure has a litany of critiques against it: it's environmentally devastating, it's prone to traffic flow issues, driving is dangerous and can contribute to other public health problems, it's isolating to those who can't drive or can't afford a car... I could keep going, but we'd be here all day. In the face of climate change and economic crises, more and more people have begun advocating for a move away from car-centric infrastructure in favor of better, faster, and more extensive public transit, walkable cities, etc.
In a country as highly dependent on its highway system as the US, implementing systemic moves away from our car-centric culture has proven extremely difficult. But across America, some communities are taking small-scale steps towards realizing a future free from a dependency on cars. Enter Culdesac: a small planned community in Tempe, Arizona, that purports to be the first built-from-scratch car-free neighborhood in the United States.
In early 2024, 25-year-old Jada Stratman was searching for retail space for her candle business, Brite Candle Co. That’s when she found Culdesac. ″[It’s] the first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the U.S.,” Culdesac CEO Ryan Johnson says. #Cars are not allowed on the Culdesac’s streets, and residents can’t park their own vehicles on site. Residents are offered discounts on transportation services like Waymo, a self-driving taxi. Stratman pays $1,472 in monthly #rent for her live-work space and an additional $140 for utilities and Internet. Tap the #linkinbio to watch the full video. #CNBCMakeIt #apartment #apartmenttour #Arizona
Culdesac resident Jada Stratman spoke to @cnbcmakeit about her life in America's first planned car-free neighborhood. Jada pays $1,472 in monthly rent (plus $140 for utilities and internet) for her live-work space in Culdesac. The back of the unit is taken up by Jada's one-bedroom apartment, while the front half is a retail space for her candle making business, Brite Candle Co.
"I’m able to actually have a retail front-facing shop to the public and also make money out of my apartment ,” Jada told CNBC . “At first, it was a bit uncomfortable just having so many people in my living space, but over time, I’ve gotten really used to it. I’m actually really excited for people to come and make candles.”
The community, which currently has around 180 residents, is home to a public swimming pool and gym, along with several other shops and small locally owned businesses. Jada shouts out her local plant store, clothing store, and Korean supermarket. The only things missing here are cars; you won't see a single one on Culdesac's streets.
Creating a Car-Free Neighborhood
While residents are technically allowed to own cars, they have to be kept off the main property in a separate parking area. However, Culdesac residents aren't limited to just walking from point A to point B. According to CNBC , each resident gets their own e-bike to use around the neighborhood, and there's a light rail station and rideshare pick-up spots nearby.
Urban design company Opticos, which was selected by Culdesac to build their innovative neighborhood in Tempe, talked about the process of designing a people-centric community free from the constraints of planning around cars.
"Because the project does not have to accommodate the car, the Opticos team shifted the design focus to great urbanism and placemaking ," Opticos' company blog reads. "It is similar in character to a Greek, Italian, or French historic village with irregular, narrow meandering paseos, a hierarchy of public spaces, and thoughtfully placed buildings and building elements that deliver a sense of discovery as you make your way through the project."
As addressed in Culdesac's FAQ page, the developers aim to provide a better quality of life for their residents through efficient land utilization. "By removing cars, we make room for parks, stores, courtyards, and a beautiful 30ft wide main paseo walkway that spans the length of the community from east to west."
Though Jada still owns a private vehicle (kept off-property, of course), she confessed to CNBC that she's become less dependent on it since moving into Culdesac. And since she has a whole vibrant community to explore without being stuck behind the wheel, her life has improved in even more meaningful ways.
"“I’ve always grown up so introverted and just to myself,” Jada told CNBC . “So coming here and meeting all the friendly people that I have met and the connections that I’ve made is why I chose Culdesac.”
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