The city council in Austin, Texas recently proposed something that could seem like political Kryptonite: getting rid of parking minimums.
Those are the rules that dictate how much off-street parking developers must provide — as in, a certain number of spaces for every apartment and business.
Around the country, cities are throwing out their own parking requirements – hoping to end up with less parking, more affordable housing, better transit, and walkable neighborhoods.
Does it increase walkability? Or does it just force residents to walk? Because those are not the same.
They’re not the same but it can be both.
They can also choose to cycle, use public transit, or the fun new micromobility machines that are becoming ever-more-popular in urban areas.
But if there is no infrastructure to accomodate not driving, you havent made anything more walkable. Just less traversable.
Walkability isnt when cars are harder to use so you have to walk, its when a space is designed to make walking convenient. This doesnt seem to be doing anything but making one type of transport harder to use. Without making other options better, its just going to build resentment in people for losing a formerly preferred transport and being forced to use currently worse transport instead.
These are not immediate fixes. It’s part of a master plan that yes, includes improving other infrastructure
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No. It wasn’t.
If you want to advocate for perpetuating infrastructure that damages the climate, decreases affordability and makes things more difficult for everyone, you go on ahead. But don’t pretend it’s about diversity. I’ll continue advocating for putting one foot in front of the other.
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