Profile of a (Mostly) Car-free Community Erlangen, Germany

"Until 1994 Erlangen was a location of the US army, which occupied a large strip in the east of the city. When the army moved out a broad discussion started about how to use the free space. Ultimately, large parts of it were given to Erlangen's most important employers, Siemens and the university, along with other businesses.

A new residential area was planned close to the former housing area for Army employees. The area is still under construction, but many houses have already been completed. It is a mixed environment, intended to provide affordable living for young families in town houses, as well as expensive single-family houses adjoining the environmentally protected southern area. Most movement is non-motorized; the streets and paths are populated by many children. Bicycle trailers are widely used instead of cars."

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"However there still are a couple of problems. There are almost no public buildings, social, cultural, shopping, or recreational facilities in the area. Thus residents tend to use their cars in order to reach those outside the district."