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Circulation
Circulation in Village Homes is dominated by bicycle/pedestrian paths. In fact, the pedestrian and bicycle paths were laid out before the streets. The design of Village Homes privileges the pedestrian over the automobile, making it easier to visit between houses by walking or biking than by driving.
The roads are all narrow, curving cul-de-sacs, less than twenty-five feet wide. Most have pedestrian connections but are not bordered by sidewalks. Village Homes’ roads are notably different from Davis’ typical neighborhood street, which is wider and tree-lined, with on-street parking and street-facing garages.
Narrow widths and plentiful street trees minimize the amount of pavement exposed to the sun, reducing ambient air temperatures during Davis’ hot summers. The use of narrow, cul-de-sac streets reportedly has shown traffic-calming benefits (in part due to the elimination of through traffic) and creates spaces for children to play and neighbors to meet informally.
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| Image Sources: |
| 1. Anne Whiston Spirn 1990 |
| 2. Anne Whiston Spirn 1990 |
| 3. ______________ |