What setting does this work in?

Recently, I spent several days on a work retreat with my department at a beautiful spa in central Vermont. This was the first time I found myself cracking open the New York Times with no motive other then leisurely reading. I chanced upon an interesting piece which reported on a community in Germany where cars are actually outlawed! Well, that is not exactly true, you can purchase parking spaces for them in garages on the outskirts of town for 40,000 dollars a piece. As you can imagine there are very few car owners. The town is completely motored by bicycle power. I am attaching the link so that you can see for yourself. As I think about the romantic ideals that go along with this movement I am day dreamy and curious, but fairly pessimistic. How could this work? Everyone in the community must either be able able to do everything locally, be independently wealthy or retired? How are large objects moved, and how are emergencies dealt with? I am completely intrigued and would love to visit a place like this. Check it out: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/science/earth/12suburb.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=germany%20car%20free%20community&st=cse