Planning for TOD (Transit Oriented Development) in Indian Cities – Reforming parking policies in Indian cities – Total 2 DRPs in 2 cities.
The present approach of Indian cities to parking regulation and its management is wrongly parked! Flawed ideas such as “one has a right to park on the streets” and “public agencies are responsible for providing ample and free (or cheap) parking” continue to have wide currency. Conventional planners also believe that requiring more parking within buildings will solve the problem. However, the evidence from the cities around the world suggest that such ideas are misplaced and detrimental to livability and sustainability.
Parking is an extremely suboptimal use of precious street space. Streets have more important functions to play. They are essential for the movement of people, especially via sustainable modes such as walking, cycling, and public transport, as well as freight. Often underrated but equally important role of streets is as vibrant public spaces. In addition, parking space should be seen for what it is, a form of real estate whose supply and price is best determined by the market. It is a commodity, not a public good. The case for public agencies to subsidies parking with public funds and/or through public lands is rather weak. Car users enjoy enormous subsidies, as they pay a small proportion of this rate. This devoid a large part of the society of the investments required for better urban living. Limited public money and land is better used for other more important and essential things that can benefit the entire population rather than just a few.
