Stop incentivizing surface parking lots
2 days ago
- #urban-planning
- #land-value-tax
- #parking-reform
- Surface parking lots drain economic potential from cities by occupying valuable downtown land.
- Parking lots subtract economic value by blocking development of housing, jobs, and amenities.
- Syracuse, NY, has $44M in land value tied to parking lots, hindering downtown vibrancy.
- Property tax policies incentivize keeping land as parking lots instead of productive development.
- Parking reform strategies include eliminating parking minimums, setting maximums, and dynamic street pricing.
- Land Value Tax (LVT) could shift incentives away from idle parking lots toward development.
- Underground or structured parking is a better alternative to surface lots in dense urban areas.
- Balancing car accessibility with attractive public transit can reduce parking demand without restricting freedom.