Culdesac Tempe Defies Expectations

Culdesac Tempe, which billed itself as the nation’s first ground-up car-free neighborhood, seems to be a success for its residents, writes Ben Ikenson in Dwell.

With the first phase finished last year, the high-profile development continues to unfold on a 17-acre site along a light rail line in an established neighborhood about 15 miles east of downtown Phoenix. The $200 million project now includes 288 apartment units with about 300 tenants, reeling residents in with appeals of a healthier, more eco-friendly lifestyle, built-in community with ample amenities, and accessible transit to Tempe and the greater metro area.

According to Ikenson, the neighborhood received criticism for being relatively isolated and, according to Strong Towns, not “the incremental urbanism and thickening our cities need.” (Later, Strong Towns revised its opinion, noting “We all have a hand in building strong towns, and it can take many different forms. We’re here to celebrate every effort.”)

Residents seem satisfied with the neighborhood’s walkability, amenities, and transit access. The community offers free e-bikes and transit passes — and residents actually use them. Residents also say rents are reasonable, with studios starting at $1,300 per month in a region where median rent for a studio is $1,375.

Kevin DeGood, director of infrastructure policy at the Center for American Progress, acknowledged the community’s success, noting, “We need more housing and land use experimentation, not less. And bold experiments like Culdesac show there is real demand for alternatives.”