Smart Growth And Parking

This report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) explores approaches for integrating parking with smart growth goals.

1 minute read

February 8, 2006, 1:00 PM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Current codes typically apply inflexible minimums that ignore community and developer priorities including environmental quality and human health. An oversupply of unnecessary parking wastes money and creates places that degrade water quality and encourage excess driving and air emissions. The highlighted solutions cover a range of supply management, demand management, and pricing strategies.

The approaches described in this report can help communities explore new, flexible parking policies that can encourage growth and balance parking needs with their other goals. The EPA developed this guide for local government officials, planners, and developers in order to:

  • Demonstrate the significance of parking decisions in development patterns;
  • Illustrate the environmental, financial, and social impact of parking policies;
  • Describe strategies for balancing parking with other community goals; and
  • Provide case studies of places that are successfully using these strategies.

    Thanks to Ashwani Vasishth

  • Tuesday, February 7, 2006 in US Environmental Protection Agency

    portrait of professional woman

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

    Mary G., Urban Planner

    Get top-rated, practical training

    Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

    Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

    The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

    July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

    Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

    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.

    February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

    Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

    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.

    February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

    Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

    Test News Post 1

    This is a summary

    0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

    Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

    Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

    The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

    18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

    test alt text

    Test News Headline 46

    Test for the image on the front page.

    March 5 - Cleantech blog