The Transportation Concept
One of the key concepts developed through the Forum Vauban was the creation of a car-free neighborhood. While cars are allowed in the Vauban, their use and ownership is restricted. Streets are shared spaces primarily designed for people, not cars. To date, 40 percent of households have chosen to live car-free.
Above : Street scene in Vauban
Parking Requirements
One way to achieve the goal of a car-free neighborhood was to ban parking on private property. This meant that residents with cars would be required to park them in garages at the edge of the neighborhood and only allowed in to enter the neighborhood to drop off “grannies and groceries”.
Today, on-street parking is only allowed on the main street of the Quartier Vauban. In the 1990s, this goal seemed difficult to achieve because state zoning law in Baden-Württemberg required builders to provide a dedicated parking space for each residential unit. This law was intended to spare municipalities the expense of creating parking in public places - either on-street or in garages - for private automobile storage. After years of discussion between the Forum Vauban and lawmakers, the law was amended to permit Vauban residents to live car-free without the expense of building an unnecessary parking space. Under the new law, the City of Freiburg must waive the parking space requirement if the builder can prove that:
- The intended resident will not own a car, and
- There is dedicated land available to create a parking space if the resident chooses to purchase a car at a later date.
The Club for Car-free Living
The Club for Car-free Living (Verein fuer autofreies Wohnen, e.V.) was established to administer the requirements of the new parking law[2]. Residents who choose to live car-free must sign a declaration of car-free living and become a member of the Club.
- The intended resident will not own a car, and
- There is dedicated land available to create a parking space if the resident chooses to purchase a car at a later date.
The Club for Car-free Living
The Club for Car-free Living (Verein fuer autofreies Wohnen, e.V.) was established to administer the requirements of the new parking law[2]. Residents who choose to live car-free must sign a declaration of car-free living and become a member of the Club.
The Club is required to verify that each member abides by the contract and must construct or provide a parking space if a member later chooses to purchase a private automobile. Once a resident becomes a member of the Club and signs a commitment to the Car-free lifestyle, the City issues a building permit for the residential unit without a parking space.
Above : Homezone street with vehicular access limited to delivery and drop off
The membership fee of 3,700 Euros is significantly cheaper than the cost of constructing a parking space, which is estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 Euros plus annual property taxes.
The Club uses the membership fees to purchase a parcel of reserve land that could be converted to parking if club members eventually purchased private automobiles. However, as long as the land is not used for parking, it can be used for any purpose that the Club chooses, such as a sports field or community garden.
If a member of the Club decides to purchase a car, they are required to make a payment of 15,350 Euros (approximately $25,000) to the Club for the construction of a parking space. All members of the Club who eventually purchase an auto must also pay monthly rental fees and property taxes for the parking spaces constructed by the Club.
If a member of the Club purchases a private automobile without notifying the City government, that member can be fined up to 100,000 Euros.
The results of the Vauban car-free experiment have been positive. While the car-free concept still presents obstacles to visitors and residents with cars, car-free residents are very happy with their experience so far.
According to a study conducted in 2006:
- 81% of car-free residents say that the organization of their everyday lives without a car is easy or very easy.
- 96% of car-free residents say they have not even thought about purchasing a car.
Next : Go to The Livable Street Design Concept
According to a study conducted in 2006:
- 81% of car-free residents say that the organization of their everyday lives without a car is easy or very easy.
- 96% of car-free residents say they have not even thought about purchasing a car.
Next : Go to The Livable Street Design Concept
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