Across the United States, a new breed of developers is embarking on a remarkable journey - crafting car-free neighborhoods from the ground up. Or, to be more precise, they are creating places where residents don't rely on their cars as much as their suburban counterparts. But the question remains: can these greenfield developments truly serve as a model for communities across the nation, or will they remain a rare and coveted luxury for those with the means to live at a human scale? Today, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Scott Snodgrass of Meristem Communities, whose latest development, Indigo, is bringing slow streets, hyper-local agriculture, and "mews" to suburban Houston. Along the way, we delve deeper into the concepts of "new suburbanism," childhood autonomy, and how a car-light lifestyle can be scaled.

"Redefining Suburban Living - Putting People First, Not Cars"

Genesis of Indigo

The genesis of Indigo is closely tied to the origin story of its developers. This is their inaugural project, and it all began with their other business, Agmenity. Here, they design, install, and operate farms for various entities such as other developers, neighborhoods, hospitals, and school districts. It was through this work that they began to observe the development process. Scott Snodgrass, a co-founder, had never considered himself an urbanist before. However, as he witnessed how master-planned communities were developed, he and his partner Clayton started asking a multitude of questions. Many of the decisions made regarding these new developments seemed to be based on short-term needs or were driven by lenders or equity partners, rather than what would make sense for the people living in the community. Their tagline, "What if places were designed for people, not cars, corporations, and capital?" inspired them to find a way to shift the emphasis back to people. They owned a 60-acre vegetable farm and realized it couldn't be expanded further. So, they decided to take their farm and build a neighborhood around it. This idea took shape in 2019 with initial ideation and became a reality in 2021 when Indigo was launched. Home builders have been delivering lots this year, and construction has been underway for a year and a half. The response has been overwhelming.

Significance in Suburban Houston

Suburban Houston is renowned for being one of the most car-centric places in the country, along with Phoenix and Atlanta. Clayton and Scott both grew up here and understand the impact cars have on our lives. It's not that they believe people will abandon cars altogether, but they recognize the need to address the issues caused by excessive car use. Environmental concerns are a major factor, with Houston experiencing more severe storms in recent decades. In the past decade alone, there have been three 500-year storms, which is a clear indication of climate change. By reducing vehicle miles traveled, they aim to create a more sustainable and livable environment. Manhattan serves as an example of a green city due to its density, public transit, and mixed-use development. In contrast, Houston's neighborhoods are often segregated, with retail centers often located far from homes. The street patterns and built walls make it difficult to walk or access amenities easily. By designing a different street layout, pedestrian mobility network, and mixed-use spaces, they hope to serve a wider range of people, including those who can't drive for health reasons or those who simply don't want to.

Challenges and Solutions

Integrating this community within a notoriously car-centric place presents several challenges. The traditional Houston suburban design framework focuses primarily on serving cars and large corporations, leaving out those who can't drive or don't want to. However, by reimagining the street layout and pedestrian mobility network, they can create a more inclusive environment. For example, by introducing slow streets and "mews" (narrow alleys for pedestrian and bicycle access), they can improve connectivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Hyper-local agriculture also plays a crucial role in reducing the need for long-distance food transportation and promoting a sense of community. By growing their own food on-site, residents can have access to fresh produce while also reducing their carbon footprint. Additionally, by mixing different uses such as residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, they can create a more vibrant and walkable community. This not only benefits residents but also has a positive impact on the local economy. Through careful planning and design, they are working towards reducing car dependency and providing a better quality of life for all.