Car-Free German Suburb Vauban Makes Residents Happier

nytimes.com:

"When I had a car I was always tense. I'm much happier this way," said Heidrun Walter, a media trainer and mother of two, as she walked verdant streets where the swish of bicycles and the chatter of wandering children drown out the occasional distant motor.

Vauban, completed in 2006, is an example of a growing trend in Europe, the United States and elsewhere to separate suburban life from auto use, as a component of a movement called "smart planning."

Read the whole story: nytimes.com

Comments

[onwisconsin]

I like the concept but how do you make it work in the winter in a place like Wisconsin?

[LitDr2B]

I think the operative word in that article is "upscale."

All of the communities described are those in which very few people can afford to live.

The bigger question is how can we retrofit existing communities along these lines?

(And I had no idea that zoning laws -required- two parking spaces per home--Big Oil lobbying?)

[quiviran]

I've read about this place before, because some of the homes are built to the PasivHaus standard. They also have some locally installed renewable energy resources. So they're living in a people friendly, low power need, energy independent district adjacent to a mid-sized town. How can they exist?! Oh! the humanity!

[Egalitare]

That could work in a few places here.

If my local bus system was more comprehensive, I would NOT miss my household's 2nd car.

[kappa08]

forgettaboutit American..­.quality of life is NOT important here. Obviously.

[quindy]

Excellent idea! I still prefer living in New York City. Just more exciting.

[rishi851]

HI Quindy....­Its my dream to live in the big apple but say wouldnt it be more feasable to cycle in NYC because hardly anyone owns a car there(or so Ive heard).How is the cycling culture and biking paths in the 5 boroughs?