re: With all the pining for the good ole days...

There’s an area in West Virginia (I think) that already has this. A government zone forbidding technology due to research and science. It sucks.

What you need is a city built to mimic an old town Main Street. The essential mom and pop businesses with a nicely built neighborhood. Unfortunately, this would never be sustained unless residents would pay an enormous HOA fee that would cover all expenses required in keeping change out.