Free of cars in Arizona, intentionally and with happiness

Last year, when Andre Rohani and Jabriella Reyes toured Coldisak Timby, which is the development of a rental outside, the place looked very sweet. It had increased paths, boutique shops and low white plaster buildings that gathered around the shaded squares.

The only surprise came when Mr. Rohani, 33, a doctorate student at Arizona State University, asked about the parking lots and was told that there is nothing.

The couple had two dogs, a young child and another child on the way. “A long short story, we decided that all professionals outperformed the negatives,” Mr. Rohani said in an interview on the phone. The family gave her car to Mrs. Reese’s father and moved to Koldisak in December. Mr. Rohani said: “We really really love her here.” “It is the best place where you lived ever.”

50 states, 50 repairs It is a series of local solutions to environmental problems. More to come this year.

Culdesac Tempe is designed similar to cities in Italy and Greece before cars appeared for a long time The first neighborhood was intentionally designed to be free of cars.

Ryan Johnson, CEO CEUDESAC, said he wanted to present a scheme to live in a place where you can walk, even in the case of cars and often mode.

“It is one of the best things we can do for climate, health, happiness, low cost of living, and even the low cost of the government,” said Mr. Johnson, who lives in Koldisak. “It’s also a better lifestyle. We all have become the worst versions of ourselves behind the steering wheel.”

While there is a short -term parking lot for delivery, retail dealers and guests, the residentsac residents are expected to wander by the near light railway system, as well as on buses, motorcycles, electrical bikes and the use of ride shares. There are 22 retail stores, many live workshops, and a small Korean market. To date, 288 housing units have been built on eight acres of the site 17 acres with 450 other units planned.

There are other places free of cars in the United States, most of which are from the island, where people, bike or tool walk around golf carts. However, the requirements for dividing regions in most cities usually require new developments to supply the population with the minimum parking space, including in the Phoenix region, a group of urban extension. Culdesac Tempte has a special exemption from parking requirements by Tempe.

“This is completely different from our traditional modern approach to development,” said Edward Erfurt, the chief technical adviser to Strong Towns, a non -profit group in North America that enhances society’s flexibility. “We have just conducted this experience over the past eight decades, as we have chosen to give priority to the isolated transportation system for our natural way to work together as human beings.”

“This is a very big problem,” said Mr. Erfurt.

The two -storey and three -storey buildings of Culdesac for the desert climate are designed in bright white to reflect the heat. Not having to factors in residential parking lots, allowed architects to form buildings to increase shadow and design narrow paths that encourage breezes and social participation.

“The pedestrian is really the primary person, the number you develop,” said Alexandra Fundelling, the main architect of the project. Large areas of glass were avoided, and umbrellas are added to the windows of the sun, plants and original trees placed under cooling. There is a wide corridor that can accommodate emergency compounds, but there is no asphalt, which reduces the effect of the urban heat and improves conditions for dogs that live there as well.

Apartments range from studios to three bedrooms, and rent between $ 1,300 to $ 2800 a month, which Mr. Johnson said is market prices. Nearly 90 percent rented.

Some residents have been pulled to Culdesac due to their car -free mission, while others though. There is an unknown ritual, which still has cars quietly, and is parked outside the site.

Sherrill Mardock, 50, is a post -doctoral researcher who lives in Canada, is a unit because she often in Tempe to work and wanted to balance carbon emissions from all this flying.

Ashley Welland and her husband moved with their young child to give up the presence of a car and ended up getting jobs in Coldisak, and she is in a restaurant there while maintenance.

Electra Hug, 24, who works in the city of Tempe and Kafana, wanted to be close to public transport and has a feeling of society. It is the first time that it has lived without the help of family and friends. “In order to spend an enjoyable time or enjoy, I don’t have to cross the street,” said Ms. Hug. “It is just unique and really only.”

Mr. Rohani and Mrs. Reyes borrow her father’s car once a week for missions. Otherwise, they often ride public transport with free permits provided by Culdesac.

Mr. Rohani said that living in a place where people are not running as people do not start in their cars, meaning that the pace is slower, with more opportunities to contact. He said it is the type of society, as the neighbors borrow a cup of sugar from each other. On the days of the birth of their daughter, three different families brought a meal, cookies drop, or offered to buy groceries. He said, “We really feel support and loved here.”

David King, who is studying urban planning at Arizona State University, said Culdesk Tempe could push other developers to pay for exemptions from parking requirements. Mr. Erfurt, a powerful cities, said that Culdesac Tempe can pave the way, as it was, in order to build similar car -free developments in places such as closed shopping centers, which can address the affordable housing crisis, reduce unity and bring people closer to where they work.

“We can do everything that is simply by separating the parking lots from development,” said Mr. Erfurt. “In every market, people are looking for it.”