(Photo Source: TriMet)
A recent article from Grist describes how many cities in the U.S. realized that requiring excessive supply of parking does more harm to their cities than good. Portland gets a mention for it’s backward step in 2013 and its recent debate on parking minimums for NW Portland.
Trading parking requirements for more mobility options is a much effective policy for address urban transportation needs. Instead of requiring developers to build parking, try allowing them to provide transit passes, car share, bike share, bike parking, etc. to swap in with parking minimums.
Listen to a 12-minute podcast interview with Professor Donald Shoup on why parking should not be free.
Americans are forced to pay off the cost of parking construction whether they can afford it or not. A recent study by Professor Donald Shoup argues that “[i]n a misguided attempt to provide free parking for everyone, cities have created a serious economic injustice by forcing developers to build parking spaces that many people can ill afford.”
When LA’s new Expo Line opened people worried about park n’ ride station not having enough parking spaces. It’s been over two months since the new light rail line opened and all three of its new park n’ ride parking lots sit half empty.
Experts recommend backing into a parking space is much safer, and yet most of us don’t do it. Why? But George Costanza got it right.
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