Culdesac Tempe: A Car-Free Community Model Worth Emulating in Charlotte

Culdesac Tempe

In the heart of Tempe, Arizona, a groundbreaking development is capturing the attention of urban planners and sustainability advocates nationwide. Culdesac Tempe, the United States’ first entirely car-free neighborhood built from scratch, offers a compelling blueprint for cities like Charlotte aiming to enhance walkability and transit-oriented living.

Rethinking Urban Living

Spanning 17 acres, Culdesac Tempe is designed around people, not vehicles. The community prohibits resident car parking, encouraging alternative transportation modes such as walking, biking, and public transit. Residents benefit from amenities like a complimentary Valley Metro pass, discounted ride-share services, and over 1,000 bike parking spots.

The neighborhood’s layout features narrow paseos, shaded courtyards, and communal spaces that foster interaction and a strong sense of community. By eliminating the need for expansive parking lots and roads, Culdesac allocates more space for green areas and social hubs, enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

A Model for Charlotte’s Transit-Oriented Development

Charlotte has made significant investments in its rail transit infrastructure. However, to fully realize the benefits, we must encourage development that prioritizes walkability and reduces car dependency.

We’ve seen promising local examples that move us in this direction. The Joinery by Spacecraft, Sustain Charlotte’s 2023 award winner for ‘Inspiring Building Project,’ is a car-free apartment community in Optimist Park directly across from the Parkwood Blue Line station. In addition to offering residents access to shared Teslas and e-bikes, The Joinery also features in-home composting and is solar-powered—making it a true leader in sustainable urban living.

Joinery Charlotte

Similarly, Grubb Properties’ CYKEL Apartments in Seversville, honored with Sustain Charlotte’s ‘Inspiring Building Project’ award in 2022, offer a robust suite of micromobility amenities, including a large bike, scooter, and onewheel Storage Center with Workstation, additional bike and scooter storage on every floor, a private scooter and electric bike share, and an outdoor bike rinse area.

CYKEL Apartments

These developments are exciting steps forward, and we love seeing Charlotte-based developers reimagine how people live and move without relying on personal vehicles. But while these are standout examples of individual apartment buildings, Culdesac Tempe is the first car-free neighborhood in the U.S. designed from the ground up for shared mobility. It shows the transformational potential of building entire communities around people instead of cars.

Moving Forward

Culdesac Tempe stands as a testament to innovative urban planning that aligns with the needs of modern city dwellers seeking connectivity, sustainability, and community. As Charlotte continues to grow and evolve, embracing models like this—and local leaders like The Joinery and CYKEL Apartments way for a future where transit-oriented, car-free living is not just an ideal, but a reality.

For more information on Culdesac Tempe, visit their official website: culdesac.com.

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