Could you live without a car? In the neighbourhood of Vauban, near the German city Freiburg, they can. This innovative neighbourhood is almost car-free, except for the main thoroughfare in the centre that connects the train station with the car garages where citizens can purchase spaces for 29,000 euros. Construction began in the mid-90s and has been completed in 2006.
70% of the citizens now lives without a car, while 57% of them sold their cars when they moved to Vauban. There’s a possibility to use a Zipcar, which is a communal car that every subscriber may use. While the restriction of cars reduces emission, also the dwellings, called ‘Passivehouses’, are environment-friendly, reducing energy use with 79%. Development of neighbourhoods like in Vauban and other so-called ‘smart planning’ concepts, are a growing trend in Europe.
—By Maarten Hendriksen and Charlotte Dovianus
—Source: New York Times
—Photo: Martin Specht
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Ah yes, the eternal sunshine of the flatlander mind set. Throw some hills in and then get back to us.
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