Henry Grabar on Urban Planning Blunders
Henry Grabar, the author of Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World, recently spoke about the blunders of urban planners. Grabar believes that better cities depend heavily on a smarter approach to parking. He pointed out some serious parking-related issues that urban planners need to consider to make cities more efficient and sustainable.
The Problems with Parking
One of the significant issues caused by parking is having too many spaces in cities. It is not just a waste of land but also increases traffic congestion due to more vehicles coming in and out of parking garages. This buildup of congestion exacerbates the problems caused by urban sprawl.
Secondly, the high cost of off-street parking translated into even more expensive housing costs in some cities. This high cost is due to the high land value consumed by parking, which increases the price per square foot.
Lastly, parking is lousy for the environment as it encourages driving habits that increase greenhouse gas emission, which a concern, especially in urban areas. Besides, it is a barrier that limits cities from transforming into car-free zones or banning vehicles outright.
The solutions to Parking Problems
The solutions proposed by Henry Grabar include:
- Mandating fewer parking spots in cities to encourage the use of public transportation systems like trains and buses.
- Charging more for parking in congested areas to lower demand and decrease traffic on the roads.
- Reducing parking altogether to make urban areas more walkable and turn them into car-free zones.
Grabar argues that a change in the approach to transportation and parking could change the outlook of urban landscapes.
Why is Parking so important?
The right approach to parking is vital in making cities more efficient and sustainable. The goal of reducing the number of cars on the road and increasing the number of people using public transportation can be achieved by making it challenging to park in city centers. Therefore, urban planners must see parking management programs as a means to meet the goals of reducing urban congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
Summary
Henry Grabar conveyed that parking is a significant issue for urban planners in creating smart, efficient, and sustainable cities. It wastes precious land resources, reduces housing affordability, and slows traffic flow. Additionally, it is terrible for the environment. By reducing the number of parking spaces in urban areas, implementing parking management programs, and encouraging the use of alternative forms of transportation, cities could be transformed for the better.
With progressive mindsets and better parking solutions that limit car usage, we could achieve greater goals of economic development and environmental sustainability. The key is to adopt a smarter approach to parking to address various problems linked to poor urban planning decisions in the past
Original Article: https://www.wired.com/story/have-a-nice-future-podcast-10/
