Is Good Transit Necessary for Parking Reform?

"There is a widespread belief that reform of minimum parking requirements requires excellent public transport," says Barter. "We see this in recent parking reform debates in US cities, such as Portland, Seattle and Washington, DC for example."

"But surely this is mistaken."

"If eliminating parking minimums actually FORCED parking closures and low-parking development, then maybe this link with public transport would make sense," he adds. "But reform of parking requirements is NOT about preventing developers from providing parking! It merely ALLOWS them to choose how much parking they supply. In locations where they see the need, they will keep supplying plentiful parking."

Barter goes on to identify other reforms, including reducing nuisance parking, improving management of on-street and public parking, and dynamic pricing, that will help overcome political obstacles and local resident concern over adjusting parking minimums.