Editorial: Pittsburgh Fails to Provide Adequate Parking Around Downtown

New development coming to Downtown Pittsburgh lacks sufficient parking, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

1 minute read

August 19, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Parking Garage

Right Coast Images / Shutterstock

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial Board sys a lack of parking is one of the city's biggest failures.

"Officials should consider parking a priority, yet they treat it as an afterthought," according to the editorial.

"Motorists cruising the section of Strip District near Downtown will see lot after lot reserved for leaseholders. Daily parkers are out of luck."

The editorial looks to the future of development, like the Civic Arena site in the Lower Hill neighborhood, and only sees the situation getting worse for cruising motorist. A parking district proposed by the Central Business District for the Civic Arena area "sounds like a big shell game" to the editorial board.

The editorial's big point: that the city should return to the 20th century planning paradigm of parking requirements. The editorial suggests this course of action without referencing the parking reform movement, or the literature behind that movement. "The city has a habit of allowing developers — even prodding them — to put up buildings without making provisions for the people who drive to do business in them. Couple the lack of parking spaces with the rapacity of lot owners, and the problem comes into sharp focus."

Sunday, August 18, 2019 in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today