Imagine a suburb with no cars. No traffic jams. No drive ways. No garages. Vauban, Germany, a suburb of Freiburg, is pioneering this revolutionary concept. The 5,500 residents of Vauban are not forbidden from owning a car. But they must purchase a parking space in a shared garage at the edge of the development for $40,000. 70% of the residents do not own a car, and all streets except the main thoroughfare to Freiberg and a few streets on the periphery of the suburb are car-free. Biking and walking are the main means of transport. The New York Times featured an article about Vauban on May 11. Check it out!
The New York Times, after publishing this article, hosted a round table discussion between various theorists as far as if and how a carless community would function in the US. Check it out: http://newurbanisminthenews.wordpress.com/2009/05/13/car-free-in-america/
Thanks for the link! I’ll definitely take a look.
I have a question about New Urbanism and bicyclists that you might be able to help me with. Please check it out here: http://newurbanisminthenews.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/my-view-bicyclists-dont-worry-youre-in-the-gaines-plan/