A people village in San Diego

Yesterday's blog diagrammed the concept of hiding cars on a neighborhood scale. Today we show you a real such neighborhood.

Uptown District is a relatively new urban village in San Diego that creates a pedestrian-oriented destination and economic model for success, aided by its progressive parking layout.

1. The parking in the retail area of Uptown (right of photo) is located mid-block - that is, all the parking is behind buildings. The only building facing a parking lot is a Ralph's supermarket with most of its parking underground (you should see the shopping cart conveyor built into the escalator!). Inconvenient and bad for business? It so happens to be the best performing in the company's chain.

2. The residential area is completely car free. All the parking is below. Instead of parking lots, residents enjoy paseos, courtyards and a mini main street.