"how parking explains the world"
+ musings on an eyesore carpark turned into a sky-high playground
I recently had the opportunity to go on my first European work trip, giving a talk on explainable AI and algorithmic literacy at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. This experience felt like a dream come true, but it was the days spent walking and using public transportation, without once getting into a car, that profoundly shifted my perspective on urban living. As I strolled through the streets and navigated the city via trains, I felt a sense of ease that led me to contemplate the power of positive, joyous, and playful urban design in counteracting the isolation and inefficiencies prevalent in contemporary American urban planning.
The American Parking Predicament
Most Americans, particularly those outside major cities, rely heavily on cars for transportation. This dependence necessitates safe, free, and convenient parking, a factor quietly dominating urban planning and daily life. However, the mechanics of parking often go unquestioned.
Henry Grabar explored this extensively in his book, Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World. Grabar delves into how parking shapes American lives, influencing housing, community building, and interaction with urban environments. He argues that zoning requirements for off-street parking stifle new development and exacerbate the affordable housing crisis. Could it be that our relentless quest for parking convenience is undermining our ability to create more humane and connected urban spaces?
Parking's Psychological and Spatial Impact
Why does parking provoke such intense reactions? Grabar attributes this to the near-obligatory car ownership in the U.S., where driving is essential for most activities. Consequently, parking becomes a crucial link to daily life, its availability (or lack thereof) inciting significant stress.
Plus, the U.S. has mismanaged parking provision. Rather than shared or appropriately priced, parking often turns city streets into chaotic free-for-alls. And cars spend 95% of their time parked, occupying more space and incurring greater costs than the vehicles themselves. Despite this, parking remains an afterthought for many.
As urbanist Jane Jacobs famously argued in The Death and Life of Great American Cities, vibrant communities thrive on diverse and multifunctional spaces. Parking lots, however, often deaden the urban experience, creating lifeless zones that detract from community engagement and aesthetic appeal. Could rethinking our approach to parking rekindle the communal vibrancy Jacobs advocated for? (spoiler… yes… read til the end!)
There’s Actually More Parking Supply Than Demand
America’s national parking inventory exceeds demand, with at least EIGHT parking spaces for every car. This is because historically, mid-20th-century city planners misdiagnosed traffic congestion as a parking shortage, leading to an overabundance of parking spaces that reshaped urban environments. Recent research indicates that increased parking availability encourages driving, exacerbating traffic rather than alleviating it. Unfortunate.
Progressive Approaches to Parking
Several cities have begun eliminating parking minimums, demonstrating the potential benefits. For instance, Seattle's 2012 decision to waive parking requirements for new apartment buildings near transit hubs actually resulted in significant cost savings and more affordable housing. Creative solutions, such as shared parking arrangements and dynamic pricing, offer promising alternatives. These measures could reduce the excessive space devoted to parking, allowing for more vibrant, pedestrian-friendly urban landscapes.
Reimagining Urban Spaces
Focusing on sustainability and active transportation is crucial. Promoting bicycles over cars, as many European cities have done, can lead to healthier, more sustainable urban environments. Research shows that cities with higher rates of cycling and walking not only have lower carbon footprints but also experience greater levels of public health and community engagement. Amsterdam and Copenhagen, where there are five bikes for every car on the road, exemplify the benefits of prioritizing cycling infrastructure.
The possibilities for repurposing parking spaces are vast. During the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor restaurant pop-ups showcased the potential of transforming curb parking into communal areas. Envisioning pedestrianized streets, urban gardens, and safe play areas for children is not just a utopian dream but an achievable reality with thoughtful urban planning. What if we reimagined every parking lot as a potential community space, a canvas for creativity and connection?
This is exactly what I saw in the middle of Copenhagen…
Konditaget Lüders, also known as "PARK'N'PLAY," epitomizes the reimagining of urban infrastructure. This hybrid structure, blending a parking house with a playground (!!!), challenges the monofunctional nature of typical parking facilities.
The architecture enhances the structural grid's aesthetic, breaking up the building's large volume with a rhythmic system of planters and public stairs that double as playground equipment.
As I reflect on my experience in Copenhagen, I'm reminded of the philosopher Henri Lefebvre's concept of "the right to the city." Lefebvre argued that urban spaces should be shaped by the needs and desires of the people who inhabit them, rather than solely by economic and functional considerations. This philosophy calls for a democratic approach to urban planning, one that prioritizes human well-being and social interaction over mere convenience and efficiency.
How can we reimagine parking structures in American cities to serve not only as functional spaces for vehicles but also as vibrant, multifunctional hubs that enhance community engagement, environmental sustainability, and public health?
I’m looking forward to seeing how our generation rises to this challenge…
x,
Maalvika