Climate Change

The Problem with Parking

The Problem with Too Much Parking

An article in the Washington Post discusses the link between increased parking supply and increased driving. Recent Eugene plans, such as the South Willamette Special Area Zone, call for reduced statutory parking minimums. This can only help with Eugene's climate change goals, which will require reducing the amount of miles-traveled-by car to be successful.

These are all patterns consistent with a causal relationship. They don’t definitely prove one, but the researchers conclude they amount to “compelling evidence” that more parking is a cause of car use. Not the only cause, but a cause. Which, McCahill argues, should be enough to warrant cities reconsidering how they manage this stuff.
— Emily Badger, Washington Post