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Sustainability and Parking - Where is the Nexus? PDF Print E-mail
Written by John Swan   

The following article by the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition is an interesting read.

Donald Shoup speaks to a full house in San Jose

Submitted by Carlos on February 25, 2010 - 3:43pm

Shoup Cover

Sustainability and Parking - Where is the Nexus?

“Just because we don’t pay for parking, doesn’t mean the cost of parking goes away”

Last night, for a few hours at least, San Jose was the center of the livable streets universe.

Professor Donald Shoup, author of the book "The High Cost of Free Parking," came to San Jose to discuss an issue that is a major concern to downtown residents, workers, arts patrons, and any one else who comes to live and play in in the downtown area. With a crowd of over 300 attendees, some who came from as far as San Francisco and Oakland, the venue was SRO (standing room only).

Professor Shoup started his talk with these facts:

  • American motor vehicles consume 1/8 of the world’s oil production.
  • We import 2/3 of this oil.
  • We pay for it with borrowed money.
  • The U.S. has 18% more vehicles than licensed drivers.
  • American drivers park free at the end of 99% of their vehicle trips.

Some of the many ways an oversupply of free parking effects North American cities are:

  • Increases in housing costs.

    • Shoup Crowd

  • Impedes reuse of older buildings.
  • Degrades urban design.
  • Distorts urban form.
  • Skews travel choices.
  • Limits homeownership.
  • Harms the environment.

 

 

 

http://bikesiliconvalley.org/content/1155

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Last Updated on Monday, 08 March 2010 14:52