New businesses in Birmingham, Alabama will no longer have to provide a minimum number of parking spaces.
The Birmingham, Alabama city council passed a “landmark” parking reform measure this week to eliminate minimum parking requirements for new businesses citywide, according to local news outlet WVTM 13. The measure, called the “Right Side Parking Initiative,” is part of the city’s plans to become more walkable, bikeable, and transit accessible.
“The city stated parking spaces will not be totally eliminated for new businesses, but will allow them flexibility in supporting their customers' needs,” and “The Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for parking will remain the same,” reports WVTM 13’s Shannon Delcambre.
With this reform, Birmingham joins the ranks of more than 70 U.S. cities to have eliminated parking minimums, including San Francisco, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Cincinnati, and Minneapolis. Research shows that removing parking mandates can also lower the cost of housing production, encourage affordable workforce housing, and reduces the heating effect on the environment, Delcambre writes.
FULL STORY: New parking reform in Birmingham to help city be more walkable, bikeable
Parking Reform Yields New Housing
As more cities eliminate or reduce their minimum parking requirements, the impact on housing supply is coming into focus.
How Park(ing) Day Leads to Permanent Change
Small-scale interventions can lead the way to major parking reforms.
Is the Era of Over-Parking Over?
Cities like Vancouver are rethinking parking minimums as they try to meet climate goals, reduce traffic, and reallocate street space to other modes.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet
With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.
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)