Ahhh, that iconic symbol of American suburbia…
the cul-de-sac! Ever wonder why traditional neighborhoods never had them? Some think there were good reasons…

Essentially a dead end street, the cul-de-sac was made to accommodate an auto-dependent nation after World War II. Embraced as promoting safety, neighborliness, and efficient transportation, who would guess the cul-de-sac is now at the center of a heated debate for championing just the opposite?

Yes, the staple of suburban development is now getting the sack from a growing number of planners, government officials, and savvy home buyers. Even the Wall Street Journal examined the cul-de-sac debate quoting several experts who believe it should become an endangered species. Dan Olson, former Minneapolis city planner notes, “Cul-de-sacs are more than out of fashion. They really don’t provide connectivity and ease of access to other areas.”

“Help! I’m in the sac, and I can’t get out!” This seems to be the mantra of suburbanites trying to scuffle their way onto congested feeder streets in cul-de-sac designed neighborhoods.

It’s a proven fact that cul-de-sacs cause traffic congestion, not only problematic for commuters, but for emergency and other vehicles including fire trucks, school buses, and moving vans trying to weasel their way around awkward curves, corners, and careless curb parking.

The fit factor may be growing in the wrong direction. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there’s evidence to substantiate that living in suburban sprawl contributes to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. At the center of the claim is the bulbous cul-de-sac. Residents living on big curvy streets, not designed to promote walking, are more likely to suffer from obesity-related diseases.

In a National Academy of Public Administration article; “Obesity and Sprawl: The Connection Tightens,” Thomas Schmid, PhD., Director of the CDC’s Active Community Environments observes, “We sit in cars. We don’t walk to the corner store. We ride lawn mowers. The culprit-suburban development styles where streets and community layouts weren’t designed for people, they were designed for cars.

Conversely, in neighborhoods with square city blocks, people walk up to three times more than in neighborhoods with cul-de-sac streets and other features that keep streets from connecting, according to a national study on “Urban Design, Telecommunications, and Travel,” presented by Rutherford, McCormack, and Wilkinson.

It’s lonely in the sac. While the cul-de-sac was intended to facilitate friendly neighbors, one side of the debate claims that cul-de-sac life is actually more isolating, making it difficult to get out to meet neighbors, go to parks, restaurants, and shops- without jumping into the car.

In the sac, making friends with your immediate neighbors is critical, otherwise you might encounter the daunting journey across several lanes of traffic just to borrow a cup of sugar.

Consider the In-Security Trap. Another fallacy is that cul-de-sacs are a safe and secure place for children and families to live. Common ads for cul-de-sacs picture children riding bikes and playing ball in the street, creating a false sense of security. In fact, cul-de-sac communities have some of the highest rates of backed-into traffic accidents involving young children.

Who are the hold outs for cul-de-sacs? A few builders and developers appear to be the only remaining supporters. Why?...Because cul-de-sacs facilitate building on oddly shaped parcels unsuitable to a grid system, plus, they’ve convinced buyers to pay a premium for these lots by selling a perceived lifestyle advantage.

Latest trends in community design have taken a U-turn; actually reaching back in time to the traditional neighborhood design. In an effort to create the best place to live, work, and play, these new neighborhoods feature pedestrian friendly streets with front porches, garages in the back, plenty of parks and green spaces, and walkable access to restaurants, shops, and recreation.

A renewed interest in traditional street design prompted by increasing concern for family health, happiness, and safety, just might be why more new home buyers are getting out of the sac and moving back to the neighborhood.