Arizona’s ‘Car-Free’ Community Takes Shape

Culdesac Tempe has been welcoming residents since last year.

1 minute read

February 14, 2024, 11:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Rendering of electric scooters, electric cars, light rail train, and apartments in background.

Culdesac Tempe / Mobility

A new car-free development somewhat ironically dubbed Culdesac in Tempe, Arizona is starting to gain residents. As Robert English reports in The Cool Down, the Phoenix-adjacent community boasts no car parking and mixed-use development that puts many daily needs within easy reach of residents. “The developers hope to have around 1,000 people live in Culdesac by 2025, when their 760 units will be completed.”

As English points out, the development operates more like a large campus within the city of Tempe. While “Culdesac aims to eliminate the harmful effects of cars on the environment with climate-friendly housing while reuniting communities outside of the home and workplace,” it remains to be seen how many residents will need to commute to jobs and other needs farther outside the town—and how they’ll be able to get there.

Monday, February 12, 2024 in The Cool Down

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

6 seconds ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

1 hour ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

4 hours ago - UNM News