Park(ing) Day, an annual event that asks us to rethink the ways we allocate street space, is September 20 through 22 this year. The day aligns perfectly with Transform’s SPOT SJ project, which uses innovative tools to better utilize parking spots, freeing up street parking for human-centered uses.

Parking, housing, and public space

The space we dedicate to car storage — parking — holds the key to solving some of California’s most pressing problems. As our 2023 Parking Revolution/Housing Solution report details, requirements to build parking spaces erode our ability to develop affordable housing. A parking spot can cost between $30,000 and $80,000 to build, significantly increasing the cost of an apartment or home. Plus, the easy availability of parking encourages more driving and thus drives the climate crisis.

In downtown San Jose, as in many other urban cores, many spots in parking garages sit empty for much of the day. Spots in residential buildings may be empty during the day when downtown visitors and shoppers could use them. Parking garages attached to office buildings may have extra space overnight, and so on. By sharing parking spaces among buildings, San Jose can provide enough parking for people who need to drive while freeing curb parking spaces for other uses. 

Our SPOT SJ project works with the City of San Jose and local building owners and developers, as well as parking finder apps, to allocate existing parking, reducing the need to build new parking spaces. In addition, this process can open street space for new bike lanes, transit-only lanes, transit stops, and other people-friendly uses that activate the streetscape and create a welcoming neighborhood people want to visit.

Parking spots reimagined

Park(ing) Day started in 2005 in San Francisco, when designers from REBAR took over a parking spot for a day. They fed the meter but, instead of parking a car in the spot, they set up chairs, creating a one-day, pop-up space. In the almost 20 years since the first Parking Day, the movement has spread around the world. It has gone from being an act of defiance to an exploration of the possibilities of urban space. Events are planned around the world for the 2024 observance.

Every day is Park(ing) Day

Park(ing) Day may have paved the way for curbside parklets, which exploded in popularity during the pandemic and have remained in many communities. The movement to reclaim street parking spots, which can take up a significant percentage of our shared civic space, continues to grow.

Transform’s SPOT SJ collaboration is a conduit for a creative reimagining of San Jose’s urban geography. Instead of car storage benefitting a small number of people, parking spaces can become urban oases, with much-needed seating and spaces for recreation or connection. Thinking beyond our parked-up environment opens new possibilities for car-free transportation and vibrant community spaces. We look forward to working with our partners to see a dynamic neighborhood reach its full potential.