Using Good Design To Reduce The Impact Of Parking

Parking requirements can overwhelm a housing development, particularly an affordable one. Design Advisor offers several design ideas to help reduce the impact of parking on development and your residents. [Includes photos and examples.]

1 minute read

March 17, 2006, 12:00 PM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The best way to get your parking out of sight is - well - to put it out of sight. The parking for YMCA Villa Nueva, a San Jose, California project for singles, families, and hostel guests with very low incomes, is underground. Parking still enters from the street, but this level of the building was given its own material to clearly distinguish the upper residential floors from the parking and other public uses that occupy the base of the building.

...But what if your only option is on-grade parking? One good strategy for reducing the overall impact is to group the parking in lots that are not visually in front of the house but are still easy to access. By choosing this approach, the design team for The Farm in Soquel, California, which contains a mixture of building types for both rental and purchase by families with very low to low incomes, was able to minimize the impact of parking on the experience of living here. See how it allows the residents to have front doors on open space in the center of the development."

Thanks to John Hooker via Profession of New Urbanism Listserv

Friday, March 17, 2006 in Affordable Housing Design Advisor

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