Useful Architectural Solutions to Urban Parking Problems
Urban areas constantly grow and push their boundaries, and with this growth comes the challenge of accommodating an increasing number of city residents and their vehicles. Urban city planners and architects are crucial in addressing these parking challenges through innovative design and strategic planning. Architects’ roles are not just about designing buildings but also about shaping the urban landscape and improving the quality of life for city residents. Architects already face a lot of challenges and concerns that keep them preoccupied. They must manage project costs, client communication, environmental impacts, and parking concerns. Let us step in and give you a hand with this quick educational article on how urban parking problems can be resolved through helpful architectural solutions! With several parking challenges that need to be addressed whenever an architect draws up their plans, it can be beneficial to have a few useful architectural solutions to urban parking problems that you can follow. Read on to discover more!
Parking Challenges Faced by Architects
Of course, architects need to face their standard problems when designing their projects. But, they also need to carve out some time beforehand to address their project’s current and future parking situation. And that is a challenging task! Architects face several challenges when designing parking solutions in urban areas. Here are some recurring issues:
- Limited Parking Space: There never seems to be enough space, especially in cities. These growing cities often have limited space, making it highly challenging to allot a sufficient amount of parking for building residents, tenants, employees, etc., without compromising other people’s parking or other essential city functions.
See how ParqEx is solving the urban parking challenge!
- Increased Traffic Congestion: In bustling cities, traffic is typically already a problem. An insufficient supply of parking does not help. If you have never thought about it, poor parking design actually increases traffic congestion as drivers circle block by block, looking for spots, impacting overall city mobility.
See how ParqEx’s access control and license plate recognition technology is helping reduce traffic congestion!
- Threatening Environmental Impact: Traditional parking lots are not only an eyesore but could be used for other high-rise or more essential city buildings. They also contribute to urban heat islands (parking lots absorb and then re-emit the sun’s heat and increase the city’s heat) and heightened stormwater runoff, which has proven to harm the environment.
See how ParqEx’s LPR technology is environmentally conscious!
- Aesthetic Integration: As already alluded to, parking structures can be visually unattractive and interfere with the ultimate design of the urban landscape if not planned thoughtfully. Nobody wants to live near a construction site, let alone a site that becomes yet another unattractive parking garage. Talk about lowered curb appeal!
See how ParqEx prioritizes pre-existing parking structures to limit the need for new unattractive parking facilities!
- High Cost: Surely, architects must have been tempted at one point in their careers to say, “Forget about parking!” regarding cost projections. Building and sustaining parking facilities is costly, and finding cost-effective solutions that meet design and functionality requirements in the city can be highly challenging.
See how ParqEx’s smart parking solutions can offset high costs by adding another revenue stream to the property!
- Technological Integration: Many architects consider integrating advanced technologies like automated smart parking systems when drawing up their plans. Automated parking systems require investment and can be complex to implement. Moreover, advanced technologies can sometimes be too advanced for all community members.
See how simple it is to implement ParqEx’s smart parking systems (made for both the not-so-tech-savy and the tech wizards!) and learn why this small investment is critical for your project!
Useful Architectural Solutions to Urban Parking Problems
Multi-Level Parking Structures
This one is a no-brainer if you have the space and budget. One of the most practical solutions is the construction of multi-level parking structures. These multi-level garages maximize space, allowing for a notable increase in parking capacity without requiring additional land other than what is allocated to the parking structure. Modern designs often incorporate automated parking systems to streamline parking management, handle internal tenant management, effectively enforce the parking structure, and reduce drivers’ time searching for a spot.
Underground Parking
If cost is not an issue, underground parking is another possible solution, especially in densely populated urban areas with scarce land. By building parking facilities below ground, architects can ensure a secure and private parking structure while freeing up surface space for other uses. Designing and building an underground parking facility also helps maintain the aesthetic appeal of urban landscapes and ensures this project will not add another parking structure that is an eyesore to the city.
Shared Parking Solutions
Shared parking is an entirely reasonable solution to urban parking problems. It involves multiple users, businesses, or entities using a single parking facility at different times of the day. For example, an office building’s parking lot can be used by employees during standard operating hours and by residents or visitors in the evening. This efficient use of space reduces the need for additional parking infrastructure and promotes a more sustainable urban environment.
Bicycle Parking
Think of Amsterdam and their use of bikes! As more cities encourage using bikes, providing sufficient bike parking becomes essential. In the past, architects may have allotted a small corner of one level of their parking garage to bicycle parking. In today’s world, bicycle parking requires a little more space! Architects can design dedicated parking areas for bikes, scooters, and other small vehicles, promoting their use and reducing the reliance on cars. This shift alleviates parking pressure and creates a more environmentally conscious urban living style.
Smart Parking Systems
Integrating technology into parking solutions is a trend and a game-changer in urban planning. Smart parking systems use cameras, IoT technology, AI, license plate reading cameras, and mobile apps to provide real-time information about available parking spaces. These systems guide drivers to the nearest available spot, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the overall efficiency of urban parking. Moreover, smart parking systems, like ParqEx’s, can strengthen property security, eliminate unauthorized vehicles, enforce parking regulations, and generate revenue for the property. This is the future of urban planning, and architects are at the forefront of this exciting transformation.
That’s a Wrap!
Addressing urban parking problems is a challenge and an opportunity for architects and urban planners. They can transform urban mobility by implementing innovative architectural solutions such as multi-level structures, underground parking, shared parking, dedicated bicycle parking, and smart parking systems. As cities continue to grow, these solutions will play an integral role in shaping the future of urban living, making it more efficient, sustainable, and enjoyable. Architects, through their innovative designs, are not just solving parking problems but also promoting a more environmentally conscious urban living style, and they should take pride in their contribution.
Thanks for reading “Useful Architectural Solutions for Urban Parking Problems!” If you are an architect interested in learning more about ParqEx’s smart parking solutions, book a demo with us here! If you are an urban planner looking to learn more about ParqEx’s Parking Access Control Revenue Systems and enforcement solution, don’t hesitate to book a meeting with our team. We look forward to talking with you.
FAQ Useful Architectural Solutions to Urban Parking Problems
Through ParqEx’s smart parking technologies, ParqEx users seeking parking can gain access to private parking garages that have made their unused parking available to external renters. Via access control or license plate recognition technologies, transient drivers looking for parking can seamlessly enter and exit these properties and quickly find their spots.
When people search for parking block by block, there are more cars on the street and more cars turning and merging, slowing traffic down. In already congested cities, providing more parking is a quick fix to the steadily increasing traffic problem.
Yes! There are green parking lots that incorporate environmentally friendly elements like solar panels and rain gardens. These functions help reduce the urban heat island effect mentioned earlier in the article.
By efficiently managing parking spaces and providing a platform for property owners to rent out their unused spaces, ParqEx’s smart parking solutions can generate additional income, offsetting the initial investment and potentially turning the parking facility into a profit center.
If you feel uncomfortable reaching out regarding shared parking, ParqEx would be more than willing to be the middleman between you.
ParqEx has 10+ years of experience in the parking industry. We have worked with many clients on ongoing construction sites and helped manage their parking during construction. We have kept their site secure with our access control systems. We have also fixed the parking situation for displaced residents needing parking. And, of course, after the completion of the project, ParqEx can install its hardware, implement its software, and truly get the ball rolling on the property regarding parking management.
