There aren't a whole lot of businesses or transit stops inside Stuy Town and Peter Cooper Village [1]. Barcelona, in contrast, is apparently planning to encourage multi-use development.
[1] I considered moving there, but much of it is actually not convenient to the subway or Citibike. And my prospective roommate wanted to be closer to the East Village. So, anecdotally, lack of transit and businesses is what makes the interior less desirable, not lack of car access.
Stuy Town is great. Gets so much hate. But I actually miss walking my dog around Stuy Town and speaking with elderly locals who had lived in the same apartment for 50 years more than anything else in NYC. The inner walking loop and fountain are great and they added a cafe a few years ago. Only issue is the distance from the subway.
[1] I considered moving there, but much of it is actually not convenient to the subway or Citibike. And my prospective roommate wanted to be closer to the East Village. So, anecdotally, lack of transit and businesses is what makes the interior less desirable, not lack of car access.