A Massachusetts regional planning agency says many of Boston's neighborhoods have too many unused parking spaces.
"[The Metropolitan Area Planning Council], a regional planning agency, collected data on whether residents in Arlington, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, and Melrose were using all the parking that’s available to them. Researchers found that about 25 percent of parking spaces for multifamily residential buildings went unused between midnight and 4 a.m," Nicole Dungca reports for The Boston Globe.
MAPC says this results from too many parking and zoning regulations that require unnecessary spots. "This matters because the unused spaces could be used for badly needed housing, open space, or other developments," Dungca writes.
FULL STORY: How much parking is too much parking in Greater Boston?
Parking Mandates Have a New Victim: Daycare Centers
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Small Towns Lead in Parking Reform
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Austin Eliminates Parking Requirements
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Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
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Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
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Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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