A new report providing credible estimates of five cities of differing size and geographic location reveals one truth about the United States: parking is the dominant land use in cities.
Angie Schmitt shares news of a new report by Eric Scharnhorst at the Research Institute for Housing America, titled "Quantified Parking: Comprehensive Parking Inventories for Five U.S. Cities."
According to Schmitt, the report is the first time credible estimates of the total parking supply in several American cities has been made available, and the conclusion is dire. "American Cities Are Drowning in Car Storage" laments the headline.
It’s not an exaggeration to say American cities have been built for cars more than people. “After decades of requiring parking for new construction,” Scharnhorst writes, “car storage has become the primary land use in many city areas.”
According to Schmitt, "Scharnhorst used satellite imagery and tax records to tally on-street parking, surface parking, and garage parking in five cities: New York, Seattle, Philadelphia, Des Moines, and Jackson, Wyoming." Scharnhorst expects the methodology will duplicable in other cities.
Caitlin McCabe picked up news about the study in Philadelphia, posing the reality of the city's parking supply to a public that can be easily angered over perceived lack of parking.
FULL STORY: American Cities Are Drowning in Car Storage
Minneapolis Eliminates Parking Requirements Citywide
Minneapolis joins the avant garde of cities implementing a dramatic overhaul of the parking requirement status quo that has been a primary determinant of the form and function of cities for nearly a century.
Edmonton Eliminates Off-Street Parking Requirements Citywide
The parking reform movement continues its march across the continent.
Austin Ends Parking Minimums
The city approved changes called for by a May resolution that eliminate parking requirements in all neighborhoods.
Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023
The world is changing, and planning with it.
Chicago Red Line Extension Could Transform the South Side
The city’s transit agency is undertaking its biggest expansion ever to finally bring rail to the South Side.
How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives
Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.
Braille Signage Now at All Vancouver Bus Stops
The city completed installation of signage for people with visual impairments at over 8,000 bus stops.
Greyhound Leaves Downtown Houston
The bus company is moving to a smaller station farther from the city center.
Report Reveals Proposed NYC Congestion Pricing Details
The draft proposal indicates most drivers would pay $15 to enter the Central Business District.
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Morganton
San Joaquin County
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Park City Municipal Corporation
National Capital Planning Commission
City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
