Los Angeles has a parking problem—namely, too much of it—caused by minimum parking requirements.
Los Angeles has 6 million parking spaces, many more than the city needs, and the minimum mandatory parking policy is a source of the problem, writes Anthony Dedousis.
When buildings are required to provide a certain amount of parking, the result is an overflow of parking that encourages driving and takes up valuable space that could be used for additional housing and pedestrian and biking infrastructure.
The Department of City Planning is considering eliminating parking minimums in downtown Los Angeles. But Dedousis thinks a bolder step needs to be taken.
"Instead of simply removing parking minimums, L.A. should introduce parking maximums downtown. New buildings would still be allowed to construct on-site parking, but only up to a limit. Developments requiring more parking than the maximum could lease it from existing buildings and garages with surpluses," he says.
In addition, officials should extend such a policy beyond downtown to the rest of the city. "L.A. needs its leaders to take a stand. We have enough homes for cars. Let’s prioritize homes and mobility for people," argues Dedousis.
FULL STORY: Op-Ed: Los Angeles is building plenty of housing ... for cars
A Post-Car-as-King Planning World
Cities not named from Boston in Massachusetts are explored for lessons in contemporary parking regulations.
Residence in Chicago's TODs Come With a Major Caveat: No Parking Permits
One big idea behind transit oriented residential developments is that residents will be liberated from their cars. New developments in Chicago are making sure residents won't be parking on streets to get the best of both worlds.
Exposé: Development Obstruction in Los Angeles
Homeowners groups use their influence to extract payments and concessions in Los Angeles.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service