Downtown Parking Destroys City Character

An editorial in The Philadelphia Inquirer clearly explains why more downtown parking is the wrong approach to planning.

1 minute read

January 4, 2003, 9:00 AM PST

"Construction of additional garages influences the choice of modes for travel into and within the city, the quality of life in the city, and ultimately the desire of people to live in or visit Center City. These issues are still largely misunderstood in Philadelphia.... Here's the basic problem we face today: Most people are used to the convenience of the automobile for their daily trips. They expect highways and garages to extend this convenience right into the city center. But the car hurts cities. Extensive driving causes congestion, which greatly reduces not only the efficiency of driving, but also the use of surface transit, in turn hurting the city and its economic vitality, living conditions, and attractiveness to visitors."

Thanks to Congress on New Urbanism

FULL STORY: To preserve the character of Center City, this town needs less parking, not more

Thursday, January 2, 2003 in The Philadelphia Inquirer

Community / Economic Development Pennsylvania

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