Parking Reform Network

@parkingreform.org

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An org with a mission to educate the public about the impact of parking policy on housing, climate, equity, and traffic. https://linktr.ee/parkingreform

Ottawa city councillor Ariel Troster speaking in support of Ottawa's new zoning bylaw, which includes the removal of parking mandates. She mentions that removing parking mandates is key to help address the housing crisis.
A beautiful New England town is covered in snow and holiday lights. No cars are in sight.
Before and after image. On the top is the old image showing a traditional stroad commercial parking lot. On the bottom is a new high rise mixed use building with a commercial ground floor podium.
A collage of photos from PRN events throughout the year
Satellite image of a commercial development along a stroad. On the left there's a big box store that says "Property taxes: $102,485, Parcel Size: 17,766 meter square. On the right there's two apartment buildings that read "Property taxes: $626,002, Parcel Size: 10,930 meter square"
A political compass chart titled "Parking Reform Political Compass." The horizontal axis is labeled "Pro-Free Parking" at the top and "Pro-Parking Reform" at the bottom. The vertical axis is labeled "right wing" on the right and "left wing" on the leftmost border. The chart is divided into a grid of 25 boxes, each featuring a persona and a humorous quote representing different viewpoints on parking policy. On the left side of the compass, personas range from "Free Parking Revolutionary" and "Anti-Capitalist Car-User" at the top left corner, to "Anarcho-Urbanist" and "YIMBY Keyboard Warrior" at the bottom right corner. On the right side, personas range from "Conspiracy Theorist" to "Freedom Loving Business Owner." In the middle are personas like "Burt-Out," with the quote: "We'll form a committee to study the committee that studied the parking reform study. The report will be due never." Overall, this political compass satirizes perspectives across the political spectrum, including left-wing, right-wing, centrist, libertarian, and niche cultural stances like "Anti-Gentrification Warrior" and "Data-Driven Dad."
A table titled "Cities That Abolished Parking Mandates in 2025". It lists cities and the dates they removed mandatory parking requirements. The cities are Toledo, OH (Sep 9); Oak Forest, IL (Aug 26); Shoreline, WA (Aug 11); Denver, CO (Aug 5); Boulder, CO (Jul 24); Botnell, WA (Jul 8); Bremerton, WA (Jun 4); Fairview, OR (Jun 4); Franklin, WI (May 6); Fitchburg, WI (Apr 8); and Sherbrooke, QC (Apr 8).
Map of downtown Houston with a red overlay showing areas with parking. The headline reads "Parking: 26% of central city".
Image of a parked truck that has a complete patio on its truck bed. It's parked on the street in front of a restaurant. Customers are enjoying themselves and having a good time.
A picture of the Belvedere Courtyard in Vatican city shows a parking lot filled with cars encapsulated within pristinely ornate renaissance walls.
Parking lot map of downtown Las Vegas with red overlays indicating the locations of the parking lots.
floor plan of the corner unit, showing a 4 bedroom unit with a total of 969 square feet.
Before and after pictures showing an image of a parking lot that then transforms into a mid-rise apartment building.
A screenshot of a wiki page titled 'List of topics characterized as pseudoscience.' The following section is highlighted: Minimum parking requirements -- system for assigning an optimal number of parking spaces to a given land use. It is characterized as a pseudoscience by UCLA planning professor Donald Shoup, especially as practiced by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. He argues that the ITE's calculations are arcane, overly specific and typically based on minimal data and approximations that cannot be widely applied to other businesses, even of the same type, and yet are presented as science=backed.
Screenshot of a page in L. Sprague de Camp's 1974 book "The ancient engineers" describing the regulations surrounding ancient Assyrian paved processional roads. Text reads: "Sennacherib, the Assyrian engineer-king set up the the first no-parking signs. He placed posts along the processional way in Nineveh, inscribed ‘ROYAL ROAD. LET NO MAN LESSEN IT.’ Not yet satisfied, Sennacherib decreed that any scoundrel who parked a chariot or other vehicle along this boulevard should be slain and his body impaled on a stake before his house. Perhaps such measures would be helpful in coping with modern parking problems".
A screenshot of a section of the article. The text reads: "But when you start to see it, and you end up in one of those colossal parking lots outside the mall, you start seeing this bleak, treeless, lifeless space. You think, my God, the waste, the waste! Is this the way that we have to get around? You write for The Economist, and one of the great and important concepts of economics is opportunity cost: what do you give up by having something else? I went out to Arizona to interview Noam Chomsky a couple of years ago, and I went to see one of his classes. I rode with him in his car and was in the back seat, and he had to spend ages looking for parking. This great mind, Noam Chomsky, just like everyone else, is hunting for parking. What thoughts could this mind have thought if he hadn’t been thinking about parking? What have we lost by becoming so dependent on cars?"
Image that contains the following text: 2025 National Single Stair Architectural Competition. Deadline June 30. Prizes: Three $10K Awards. Register at singlestair.com.
Three pictures showcasing the progression of an intersection over time. The first picture shows a parking lot, the 2nd picture shows that the intersection was resurfaced with new raised sidewalks that also include bollards and picnic tables. The last picture shows a lively scene where people are attending a farmers market.
Venn diagram that says on the left 'I want Abundant Free Parking", in the middle it says 'Does Not Exist', and on the right it says 'I Want Affordable Housing'
Image showing the percentage of downtown San Bernardino, CA that's dedicated to parking. A red overlay representing the area dedicated to parking represents 49% of the central city.
The top image shows a street in London in 2008 prior to pedestrianization. The bottom image shows a lively street in London after pedestrianization.
Side-by-side comparison of the Cincinnati Union Terminal and the surrounding area in the 1950s and 2022. The top side shows a bustling scene with lots of housing and pedestrians, while the bottom side depicts a modern view with the many parking lots and highways. The handle '@cars.destroyed.our.cities' is visible at the bottom.
An illustration showing the impact of parking requirements on land use. From left to right, the image depicts a gradient of increasing parking mandates: 'No Parking Required' allows for dense, walkable development; '1 Space per 500 Square Feet' introduces some parking; '1 Space per 250 Square Feet' adds more parking lots; and '1 Space per 100 Square Feet' results in sprawling, car-centric infrastructure with large parking lots dominating the landscape. The logo 'PRN' and 'PARKING REFORM NETWORK' are visible at the bottom.
An image of a meme styled like a Dungeons & Dragons game scenario. Above the Dungeon Master the text reads: 'PLANNING DEPARTMENT'. The other four players are named: APARTMENT, DAY CARE, COFFEE SHOP, and BOWLING ALLEY. At the bottom of the image the text reads: 'ROLL FOR A PARKING MANDATE.' The meme humorously critiques the arbitrary nature of parking minimums by framing it as a dice roll decision, typical in D&D games.
Map of downtown San Bernardino, CA, highlighting in red the parking spaces, which make up 49% of the central city. It includes labels for streets such as West 8th Street, West 5th Street, and West 3rd Street.
Donald Shoup at a cafe table. He is wearing a Parking Matters hat and a gray sport coat. He is looking down at his hand, which is holding a Sharpie pen while he autographs a copy of the High Cost of Free Parking.
Donald Shoup on a bicycle in two photos decades a apart. He is near a parking sign in both and wearing a crocheted sweater.
Image of a street in Manhattan with the following quote overlaid: "It's unfair to have cities where parking is free for cars and housing is expensive for people." - Donald Shoup
Two images showing what the downtown stadium will look like once completed. The images showcase the large white stadium surrounded by buildings, streets, and green spaces. The last image shows a current picture of the stadium that's still under construction.
Before and after graphic showing a 3 story building with a parking lot that transforms into a 6 story apartment building with no parking lot. Text reads: Parking lot transforms into 56 homes in Ottawa
An urban street scene with bicycles parked along a sidewalk and lush greenery in planter boxes. The text reads, 'Help us create a better future! Consider a year-end gift to PRN.' A yellow button in the top right corner says, 'Join our community!' The Parking Reform Network (PRN) logo is at the bottom center of the image.
picture of Beacon Hill neighborhood in Boston. Showing a narrow street dotted with trees and brick missing midrise housing blocks.
large sprawling parking lots in Reno, Nevada surrounding a suburban commercial shopping area
Promotional image for a webinar titled 'Climate Action for Busy People: How Does Parking Reform Fit In?' featuring Cate Mingoya-LaFortune. The event is scheduled for December 18th at 9:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM CT, and noon ET. The design includes a smiling portrait of the speaker, abstract graphic elements, and the PRN logo in the top-right corner.
raming The Story of Parking Reform The language we use evokes emotion and mental short cuts; we like to create coherent stories. Framing the story of parking reform in a compelling way will help us succeed. Don't Say: Removing Parking this puts the focus on what is being taken away from drivers and presumes that car parking is the natural use of the street. Instead Use: Improving transit with priority lanes let people know what they're gaining from the changes (bus lanes, bike lanes, outdoor seating...). put the numbers in context, what percentage of parking is being repurposed vs nearby supply. Parking Reform Network - parkingreform.org This work draws on Evan Manvel’s work for the Transportation and Growth Management program at the State of Oregon
Framing The Story of Parking Reform The language we use evokes emotion and mental short cuts; we like to create coherent stories. Framing the story of parking reform in a compelling way will help us succeed. Don't Say: Parking Cash Out Parking Cash Out is Jargon. It’s not immediately descriptive and it focuses on parking. But do emphasize Cash in messaging. Instead Use: Flexible Commuter Benefits ”Flexibility“ and “choice“ are appealing to employees. Inclusive and includes all modes, including driving. Simple and easy to understand. Parking Reform Network - parkingreform.org This work draws on work by Evan Manvel and also the Coalition for Smarter Growth:
Framing The Story of Parking Reform The language we use evokes emotion and mental short cuts; we like to create coherent stories. Framing the story of parking reform in a compelling way will help us succeed. Don't Say: Parking Needs This implies a static, clear human need. Parking responds to market signals. Instead Use: Parking Demand This reflects a more dynamic, market-based approach to parking; one that can be responded to by pricing.
Framing The Story of Parking Reform The language we use evokes emotion and mental short cuts; we like to create coherent stories. Framing the story of parking reform in a compelling way will help us succeed. Don't Say: Developers Most people have a negative connotation with the work “developer” and believe they are making excess profit, and can absorb any cost. Instead Use: Local Builders and Contractors People like local businesses. Parking Reform Network - parkingreform.org This work draws on Evan Manvel’s work for the Transportation and Growth Management program at the State of Oregon
Framing The Story of Parking Reform The language we use evokes emotion and mental short cuts; we like to create coherent stories. Framing the story of parking reform in a compelling way will help us succeed. Don't Say: Parking People use the term parking so often they often fail to think about what it is, or what it means. Reform is harder when people have coherent stories making them think the world has to work a certain way. Instead Use: Car Storage Occasionally when talking about parking throw in the term “car storage.” This allows people to start thinking about what parking is, and how space-intensive it can be. But because it is awkward to have a smooth conversation with such a mind-changing frame, only replace it Parking Reform Network - parkingreform.org This work draws on Evan Manvel’s work for the Transportation and Growth Management program at the State of Oregon"
Framing The Story of Parking Reform The language we use evokes emotion and mental short cuts; we like to create coherent stories. Framing the story of parking reform in a compelling way will help us succeed. Don't Say: Free Parking Building and maintaining parking is costly. Sometimes it is unpriced, hiding that cost. People like free things. Instead Use: Subsidized Parking This highlights the costs of parking are borne by someone. Sometimes it is renters, or business owners, or local builders and contractors – but the subsidy is coming from somewhere. Subsidy raises important questions of fairness. Parking Reform Network - parkingreform.org This work draws on Evan Manvel’s work for the Transportation and Growth Management program at the State of Oregon
Framing The Story of Parking Reform The language we use evokes emotion and mental short cuts; we like to create coherent stories. Framing the story of parking reform in a compelling way will help us succeed. Don't Say: Parking Requirements The word “requirements” indicates something is required, implicitly that it is needed. It is also value-neutral. Instead Use: Costly Parking Mandates Remind people parking costs money and land to provide. And use the term “mandates” which implies a heavier hand. Parking Reform Network - parkingreform.org This work draws on Evan Manvel’s work for the Transportation and Growth Management program at the State of Oregon
Map showing the extent of downtown Colorado Springs taken up by parking. It's visualized by having red shapes overlayed on top of the map representing the areas where parking is located. Image reads: Colorado Spring, CO. Parking 21% of central city
Map showing the extent of downtown Houston taken up by parking. It's visualized by having red shapes overlayed on top of the map representing the areas where parking is located. Image reads: Houston, TX. Parking 26% of central city
Map showing the extent of downtown Milwaukee taken up by parking. It's visualized by having red shapes overlayed on top of the map representing the areas where parking is located. Image reads: Milwaukee, WI. Parking 20% of central city
Map showing the extent of downtown Albuquerque taken up by parking. It's visualized by having red shapes overlayed on top of the map representing the areas where parking is located. Image reads: Albuquerque, NM. Parking 33% of central city