Los Angeles has a parking problem—namely, too much of it—caused by minimum parking requirements.
Los Angeles has 6 million parking spaces, many more than the city needs, and the minimum mandatory parking policy is a source of the problem, writes Anthony Dedousis.
When buildings are required to provide a certain amount of parking, the result is an overflow of parking that encourages driving and takes up valuable space that could be used for additional housing and pedestrian and biking infrastructure.
The Department of City Planning is considering eliminating parking minimums in downtown Los Angeles. But Dedousis thinks a bolder step needs to be taken.
"Instead of simply removing parking minimums, L.A. should introduce parking maximums downtown. New buildings would still be allowed to construct on-site parking, but only up to a limit. Developments requiring more parking than the maximum could lease it from existing buildings and garages with surpluses," he says.
In addition, officials should extend such a policy beyond downtown to the rest of the city. "L.A. needs its leaders to take a stand. We have enough homes for cars. Let’s prioritize homes and mobility for people," argues Dedousis.
FULL STORY: Op-Ed: Los Angeles is building plenty of housing ... for cars
A Post-Car-as-King Planning World
Cities not named from Boston in Massachusetts are explored for lessons in contemporary parking regulations.
Residence in Chicago's TODs Come With a Major Caveat: No Parking Permits
One big idea behind transit oriented residential developments is that residents will be liberated from their cars. New developments in Chicago are making sure residents won't be parking on streets to get the best of both worlds.
Exposé: Development Obstruction in Los Angeles
Homeowners groups use their influence to extract payments and concessions in Los Angeles.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)