Culdesac
@culdesac
Followers
23K
Following
3K
Media
1K
Statuses
3K
🏠 Walkable neighborhoods designed to connect neighbors, local businesses, & all the city has to offer 📍 Tempe, AZ // more soon
Tempe, AZ
Joined May 2018
tired: urban sprawl. wired: the first car-free community in the US built from scratch
38
68
1K
A big reason so many Americans miss college is because it's the only time they've ever lived in a walkable community. That doesn't have to be the case. At Culdesac, we're showing that building walkable neighborhoods is possible in the U.S. again.
9
56
804
We positioned these buildings to decrease the temperature of the walkway, shielding it from direct sun. Imagine how much cooler it will get once we bring in some vegetation!
3
19
534
In less than 100 years, we’ve come to accept (frequently empty) parking lots as ubiquitous. Here's how we can make better use of public and shared space- building neighborhoods instead of a sprawling parking lot. A thread 🧵
5
52
464
Not Wordle, just our dream road . 🚶🏾♂️🚲🚊🚲🚶🏽♀️.⬜️🟩🟥🟩⬜️.⬜️🟩🟥🟩⬜️.⬜️🟩🟥🟩⬜️.⬜️🟩🟥🟩⬜️.⬜️🟩🟥🟩⬜️.
6
66
455
Culdesac Tempe is growing fast! . We now have 300+ residents, 15+ local shops, a state-of-the-art gym, brand new pool, dog park, and beer garden.
17
27
462
Seven years ago, we were laughed out of the room—now we have a thriving walkable neighborhood, home to 20+ local businesses and more than 300 residents!
9
25
453
It's illegal to build walkable neighborhoods in the U.S. Challenging these barriers allows us to build housing with courtyards, plazas, and other third spaces—moving beyond the suburban or high-rise binary to create truly walkable places.
4
30
451
There are nearly 50 people living at Culdesac Tempe right now. There will be over 200 by next summer — Let that sink in for a second. Thank you to everyone who’s supported us from day one. We can't wait to show you what else we have in store.
11
15
369
Why pavers? Pavers allow rain to soak back into the ground, cooling the area as the water evaporates. They prevent water pooling, helping keep the ground walkable all year round. Additionally, they reduce the urban heat island effect by reflecting heat instead of absorbing it.
11
29
345
The U.S. might not be walkable now, but it can be!. By building a broader range of housing—with courtyards, plazas, and other third spaces—we can move beyond the suburban or high-rise binary and create truly walkable, community-focused neighborhoods.
7
32
375
How you move defines how you live. That’s why we opted for walkways, not roads. Why we prioritized parks instead of parking lots. Your surroundings should be designed for you, not cars.
5
22
314
Just 5 months ago, we had about 50 residents living at Culdesac. Now we have 150, and we just hit a record of 626 people at our @Littlecholla night market. Culdesac Tempe is growing fast.
4
10
260
Our buildings are oriented to maximize shade and adapt to the desert environment, providing comfort and increasing energy efficiency
26
18
221
Why is it illegal to build like this in most of the U.S.?. Parking requirements and other zoning laws make it extremely difficult to build walkable housing. People-first communities like Culdesac should be the norm not the exception.
8
26
183
Our bike racks allow us to accommodate over 1000 bikes across our neighborhood, so you’ll never struggle to find bike parking again.
0
12
185
Here's why we don't have Palm Trees at Culdesac Tempe:. 1) Palm trees use significant amounts of water – not ideal for Phoenix. 2) Palm trees do not provide the shade cover essential to reducing heat. Instead, we use desert-adapted plants like Palo Verde trees.
3
5
182
we hope to inspire walkable development so that American neighborhoods are all within walking distance to local shops
3
19
174
Reimagining the southwest U.S. to be walkable. What would you add?
39
8
166
Curious about the Culdesac lifestyle? Come stay at Culdesac for a weekend and experience what it’s like to go car-free. We’ll give you access to 2 ebikes, unlimited public transit, and discounted AVs. We promise you’ll love it!. Stays start at $99 👀
4
16
176
The U.S. needs more walkable streets. We're building them at Culdesac and aim to inspire more walkable development everywhere!
4
12
168
There’s not enough walkable housing in the US but Culdesac’s going to change that.
8
10
166
Culdesac Tempe is the first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the U.S. Seventeen acres of walkable homes, vibrant retail, and beautiful open space. On a light rail station next to downtown. Want to live here?
1
9
166
POV: You open your door to this view. Where will the evening take you?
8
3
163
Culdesac Tempe’s main paseo will stretch all the way across the neighborhood, creating a main walkway that both feels cozy and welcoming and is also wide enough for emergency vehicle access.
3
8
158
"The future of walkable America" is here. Link in bio to take your next step towards a better tomorrow🚶.
6
5
156
Well-planned cities can actually help protect rural areas. By building denser cities with great transit, we can keep urban growth concentrated, preventing sprawl that converts important agricultural and rural lands.
1
10
149
One year ago today the first residents moved in, and now Culdesac Tempe is home to over 180 residents. The past year saw new faces, expanding on-site small businesses, and growing community events. Together, we’ve created a thriving neighborhood truly designed for people.
2
9
155
People > cars. More beautiful shaded walkways, . instead of seas of asphalt.
0
12
150
Our buildings are oriented to maximize shade and adapt to the desert environment, providing comfort and increasing energy efficiency
4
3
151
The energy at Culdesac is in full bloom as our first residents are moving in very soon!
7
6
140
In 2005, this urban freeway in Seoul, South Korea was turned into a park. Called the Cheonggyecheon, it has become one of the most popular parks in the city. Temperatures by the river can be up to 3 degrees cooler, and traffic has actually improved. Cities for people, not cars.
3
14
138
Imagine this being the last few steps of your commute. Want to make it a reality? Visit the link in bio!
1
3
136
You asked, we answered: Here's how we stay cool during Arizona summers
0
11
138
Here's why we don't have Palm Trees at Culdesac Tempe:. 1. Palm trees use significant amounts of water – not ideal for Phoenix. 2. Palm trees do not provide the shade cover essential to reducing heat. Instead, we use desert-adapted plants like Palo Verde trees.
2
7
141
Bike parking is crucial for car-free neighborhoods. We have it everywhere - in front of homes, retail, and at gathering spaces. Plus extras like repair stands, ebike charging outlets, and shade, to make living car-free a breeze.
1
4
127
The U.S. would have so much more room for housing & shops without excessive parking requirements. Culdesac is showing that it's possible to build successful mixed-use and climate-adapted housing without parking, even in sprawled cities.
3
18
119
Building more walkable neighborhoods is one of the best ways to support the climate. It cuts emissions, improves air quality, and strengthens financial resilience in our cities.
2
12
127
People > cars. More beautiful shaded walkways, .instead of seas of asphalt.
0
9
121
We took inspiration from around the world to bring you cooler summers 🌍.
0
7
119
E-bikes outsold electric cars 2 to 1 in 2021, a trend that will likely accelerate this year. Let’s make that 3 to 1 in 2022.
2
16
108
It should be easier to build walkable neighborhoods all across the U.S.!.
0
8
124
Interested in a short stay at Culdesac Tempe? We'd love to have you. We have a few select units you can book that'll help you experience what it's like to be car-free in Tempe
4
9
119
In 1991, Boston began The Big Dig, moving the I-93 underground - reducing congestion and emissions. This made room for the Greenway, with its famed bench swings, sculptures, rich tree-lined promenades, gardens, and plazas, transforming Boston's civic space and waterway.
0
6
118
Culdesac Tempe's unique building layout allows for more courtyards and plazas, fostering a vibrant, walkable neighborhood.
2
8
109
In 2024, we completed 39 new residential buildings (now 58 total), a brand-new pool, and 2 dog parks. We're excited to continue building and growing the Culdesac Tempe community in 2025!
1
6
119
A big reason so many Americans love traveling to Europe is because of how walkable it is. At Culdesac, we're showing that new walkable neighborhoods can thrive in the U.S. too.
2
5
112
From render to reality - with our restaurant Cocina Chiwas front and center!
4
3
113
Everyone said building a walkable neighborhood in a car-centric city like Phoenix was impossible. We knew it wasn't. New walkable neighborhoods can thrive in the U.S.!
1
14
127
It took a lot to get here—17 acres, 60 buildings, 300+ residents (soon to be 1,000!). Building walkable neighborhoods in the U.S. isn’t easy, but now comes the fun part: a thriving, walkable community called Culdesac Tempe!
4
6
110
A big reason so many Americans love traveling to Europe is because of how walkable it is. At Culdesac, we're showing that new walkable neighborhoods can thrive in the U.S. too.
4
12
105
Reflecting on this year’s growth. We went from laying the foundations of someplace better to having our first phase of Culdesac Tempe getting prepped and ready for residents to move in.
3
5
109
