PARKING AND PEDESTRIANS: BALANCING TWO KEY ELEMENTS IN DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

Two key transportation goals for most U.S. downtown areas and central business districts are: 1) to provide sufficient spaces to meet the demand of motorists and 2) to create an attractive pedestrian-friendly environment. However, when planned for separately, these 2 goals often contradict each other. This article discusses the characteristics, problems, and strategies associated with downtown pedestrians and parking, and advocates an integrated approach whereby the needs of both pedestrians and motorists are balanced. The keys to achieving this balance are: 1) finding appropriate locations for off-street parking lots and garages that do not impede pedestrian flow, and 2) designing parking areas that are sensitive to pedestrians and facilitate pedestrian connections.