I explained this already. It took me 1,025 words to detail how cities make up parking quotas from junk science. Maximum parking tallies become minimum parking requirements become landscapes flooded with free parking, which induces more driving, which leads to higher tallies of maximum parking. Repeat.
Cascadian artist Don Baker has just explained it in 71 seconds. Behold: Driving in Circles.
Bill Frisinger
I have not run into a massive oversupply of parting spaces. Where are they anyway. Definitely not on Capital Hill or near the Pike Place market.
liclovr
this could be because,like roadways, supply generates demand
Zmapper
Check out Fort Collins. No parking minimums for commercial development *citywide*, and either a very low or no residential requirements in the “TOD” zone (basically anything within a few blocks of Old Town, CSU, or S. College). As a resident, the most prevalent comment I have heard is that oftentimes the only open space at the NE Walmart (CO-14 and Lemay) is at the edge of the lot.
Alan Durning
Interesting example, Zmapper. Thanks.
Brian
They’re all in Bellevue
Callie Jordan
Do check out the other Digital Stories by Don Baker (convenient link in the article above) — I LOVE this guy.
billyjames
Mr. Durning et al,
I serve on the senior affairs commission for Redwood City CA. Our downtown has become enormously popular for evening concerts, movies, salsa festivals and such and we’ve been told that seniors are reluctant to show up because parking’s extremely limited. A solution under serious consideration is to offer valet parking. Dunno whether users would be carded, to show proof of age — not likely. I’d appreciate referrals to any research or examples of similar proposals/solutions. (btw I saw you posted on Streetsblog) — thanks
Alan Durning
Thanks for your comment. I’m not aware of any programs like that. Sorry. I would encourage you to post your question on the group “Shoupistas” on Facebook.