Parking and the City

Parking and the City presents Donald Shoup's research and analysis of urban parking policies and their impacts on cities. The book examines how current parking requirements and pricing strategies affect traffic, land use, and economic development. Through case studies and data from cities worldwide, Shoup demonstrates the hidden costs of minimum parking requirements and free parking. The text outlines specific policy reforms, including market-based parking prices and the removal of mandatory parking minimums. The book includes contributions from other researchers and practitioners who have implemented Shoup's parking reforms in various cities. Their reports provide real-world evidence of how changes to parking policy can transform urban spaces and transportation patterns. This work challenges conventional wisdom about urban planning and presents parking as a key lever for improving city life. The analysis connects parking reform to broader issues of environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and social equity in urban environments.

Readers consistently note the book's detailed research and data on how parking policies affect cities. Many appreciate Shoup's clear explanations of complex parking economics and his specific policy recommendations for parking reform. Likes: - Clear solutions for parking problems backed by research - Real-world examples and case studies - Humor mixed with technical content - Practical guidance for policymakers Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style in some sections - Repetitive points across chapters - Length and detail level overwhelming for casual readers - Focus mainly on US cities/examples Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (48 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (31 ratings) "Makes a seemingly dull topic fascinating" - Goodreads reviewer "Changed how I view urban planning" - Amazon reviewer "Too academic for practitioners" - Goodreads reviewer "Could have been shorter without losing impact" - Amazon reviewer

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🚗 Donald Shoup spent over 40 years researching parking policy at UCLA, earning him the nickname "The Parking Prophet" among urban planners and policy experts. 🌆 The book's research shows that up to 30% of urban traffic congestion is caused by drivers circling blocks looking for parking spaces. 💰 The average parking space costs more to build than the average car, with one parking space in an underground garage costing up to $50,000 to construct. 🌍 Cities typically require far more parking than needed - Houston requires 25 parking spaces per thousand square feet of restaurant space, enough to park every customer's car even during the busiest hour of the busiest day of the year. 📊 When San Francisco implemented Shoup's recommended parking reforms, including demand-based pricing, the average time drivers spent searching for parking dropped by 43%.