Culdesac Tempe First Car-Free Neighborhood In U.S.

The Culdesac Tempe project is the first and only agreement in the United States between a city and a developer to construct a neighborhood-scale community with no residential parking.

Photo Insert: Located in Arizona, this $200 million project will develop into 761 residential apartments, 16,000 square feet of retail, and 35,000 square feet of amenities on 17 acres, and is set to open in 2022.

Located in Arizona, this $200 million project will develop into 761 residential apartments, 16,000 square feet of retail, and 35,000 square feet of amenities on 17 acres. The project is set to open in 2022.

The development is situated next to a light rail station, and on-demand services (such as Lyft and Uber, e-scooters, and car sharing) are significantly more prevalent than in the usual setting.

In addition, the City of Tempe has authorized an infrastructure master plan for the Smith Innovation Hub, located north of Culdesac Tempe, to improve bicycle connectivity. Funding has been received to begin developing street improvements, including bike lanes.

Building The Business Case for Bikes

The Smith Innovation Hub is the city’s economic development initiative that aims to "improve key employment corridors to promote new investment, job creation, and placemaking that attract and retain a quality workforce."

The planned bike lane improvements are intended to support business growth while reducing traffic and congestion. This is supported by recent research from Portland State University which found that adding bike lanes increases local economic activity, notably in the food service and retail sectors.

Last year alone, electric bikes outsold electric vehicles, and the popularity of e-bikes is steadily expanding. Over one-third of car trips in the United States are two miles or fewer, presenting an opportunity to replace car trips with the e-bike mode of transit.

In addition, low-cost transportation options have become increasingly attractive (cars cost each American nearly $800 per month). Ebikes, on the other hand, cost a fraction of a new car, and with financing schemes, the cost of an electric bike can equal less than $40 per month.

As a new vital form of urban mobility, e-bikes provide a cost-effective option that allows riders to commute or conduct errands.

Open Space, Mobility, and Community

In the future, Culdesac hopes to create more projects that foster open space, mobility, and community. Its developments will comprise a mix of residential units at various price points, as well as local retail, commercial uses, animal habitat, and public plazas. Its designs will prioritize biking, walking, and public transportation over vehicles and parking, all while collaborating with leading mobility companies to provide convenient and affordable transportation.

Finally, people would be able to live the perfect dynamic urban lifestyle without owning a car.

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