Part 2 of 2
James Veltkamp, planner for the City of Edmonton, continues his discussion about the problems with current minimum parking requirements in municipalities. He suggests we change how vehicle space gets prioritized. Currently, when new developments are being considered, buildings and parking space are the primary concerns, with pedestrian space, biking, and landscaping considered secondary. This needs to change if we are to improve the quality of our cities – not just their functionality, but also their desirability and value.
Current parking regulations make it difficult – and sometimes impossible – for investors to invest in communities by creating retail or residential infrastructure because the strict parking requirements take up valuable space that could be used for better and more profitable purposes. For example, parking space in front of a restaurant could be used for a patio and bike racks. This would serve to improve the appearance of the area, provide a more enjoyable dining experience, and encourage patrons to arrive by more environmentally friendly means.
Veltkamp believes that minimum parking requirements in municipalities should be eliminated entirely, but until that time unbundling parking from residential renting would be an economic incentive to own fewer vehicles. He answers questions from the audience about smart meters, and how to change people’s minds about the importance of minimizing our reliance on personal vehicles, among other subjects. This presentation was a part of the Alberta Professional Planners Institute’s Edmonton Luncheon, in September of 2014.
