Prioritizing Space in Cities for People Instead of Cars

February 15, 2022

Federal and state infrastructure funding is a sound top-down approach to help shift mobility to be more sustainable in the U.S., from the installation of new protected bike lanes and off-street paths, to incentivizing people to purchase an electric vehicle, or trade in their 2nd car for an e-bike. While an increase in federal funds are still an unknown, municipal governments should do everything they can to prioritize space for people before space for cars.

One strategy that recently captured my attention is removing surface parking lots. https://lnkd.in/ezRxK7Rv

They’re a waste of valuable space that could be repurposed for more housing for all socioeconomic levels, businesses, parks, and public spaces. Most people want to live in a walkable community, but do not have the access or cannot afford to do so, accentuated by not updating outdated zoning requirements. “There are 8 parking spots for every car in the US; in LA, there are more parking spots than housing.”As Donald Shoup said, ​​“Land is expensive for housing and free for parking, and you wonder why we have a problem?”

How do we change this? Start with removing the archaic off-street parking requirements in cities and make it more market-driven.