The era dominated by automobiles is rapidly evolving alongside advancements in digital technology. The experimental period of the 2020 pandemic answered many questions and raised significant social and economic challenges. In the post-pandemic era, we are witnessing changes in our daily lives stemming directly from the pandemic and the lessons learned from it.
One urban issue highlighted was the necessity of office spaces. The 2020 pandemic made it clear that traditional office environments are no longer essential for many workers. Jobs that require only a laptop and an Internet connection can be performed from virtually anywhere, eliminating the need for daily office commutes. This shift offers significant flexibility for people who previously spent an average of an hour each day in traffic.
Moreover, the rise of online stores and advanced delivery systems has led to a noticeable decline in in-store shopping. Many department stores have closed in recent years, leaving numerous shopping plazas deserted.
Given these changes, do we still need a car for daily commutes or shopping? The rapid evolution in automobilism and transportation over the past few years has reshaped our daily need for cars. Alternatives like bicycles, electric scooters, Uber, and shared car services are more popular than ever. However, the rapid growth of automobilism over the past three decades has resulted in approximately 800 million to 1 billion parking spaces in the US alone, equating to about three parking spaces per car. As more people adopt alternative transportation methods and abandon their cars, we are left with an increasing number of empty and unused parking spaces. It is estimated that the US has around 20,000 square feet of built parking spaces, roughly the size of New Jersey. A significant portion of these spaces, at least a third, is unused.
We must consider how to repurpose these parking spaces to better serve our future needs.
Housing
Repurposing existing parking spaces for housing or office spaces is an obvious solution. With the rapid population growth, the demand for housing will increase. These parking spaces can be converted into multi-story apartments.
Data Centers
The integration of data centers into urban environments is a growing trend. As the need for data centers and space increases, these unused parking spaces can be transformed into data centers.
Urban Gardens
Urban gardening is gaining popularity as the demand for locally produced food rises. Transforming unused parking spaces into urban gardens can benefit communities by promoting sustainability.
Parks
The need for parks in densely populated urban areas is crucial. Parks provide an escape to nature and serve as environmental interventions. Repurposing unused parking spaces into parks can offer green spaces that benefit communities across the country.
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on my personal thoughts, design, and research.
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