Ride sharing services are growing more popular and autonomous vehicles may be on the horizon. These developments may mean a surplus of parking garage space is on the horizon, if fewer people own their own vehicles in the future.
Most cities and counties are not modifying their parking requirements on new developments in light of these trends, though. Some designers, however, are taking them into account on new developments.
Gensler, for instance, came up with a conceptual design of a hypothetical Los Angeles building named “The MOD.” It is meant to slowly transition from a structure dedicated to cars to one that services people.
The design features raised floor heights, level floors between ramps, knockout panels and modular sections making walls and ceilings easily removable. This would allow light and circulation between levels. The structure could be outfitted with utility hookups to prepare them for future workspace or retail uses.
Related Stories
| Jan 8, 2014
Architect sentenced to a year in jail for firefighter's death
Architect Gerhard Becker was sentenced to a year in LA county jail after pleading no contest to the manslaughter of a firefighter who died while trying to contain a fire in a home the architect had designed for himself.
| Jan 8, 2014
United Association, NRDC seek major plumbing code changes
Proposed changes include mandating the insulation of hot water piping in new buildings.
| Jan 2, 2014
EPA move to assert oversight on small bodies of water among top regulatory battles for 2014
The EPA has started the process of declaring that it has the power to regulate streams, brooks, and small ponds.
| Jan 2, 2014
Paseo Verde in Philadelphia is nation’s first LEED Platinum neighborhood development
Paseo Verde, a mixed-use, mixed-income community hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony last month.
| Jan 2, 2014
Green infrastructure prominent in Akron, Ohio's sewer plans
City officials in Akron, Ohio want to prevent stormwater from entering its combined sewer system through the use of green infrastructure.
| Jan 2, 2014
OSHA to hold public meeting on proposed rule to improve tracking of workplace injuries
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has scheduled a public meeting to allow interested parties to comment on the proposed rule to improve tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses.
| Jan 2, 2014
Measuring whole building energy use among big changes in LEED v4
A new prerequisite in LEED v4 calls for each project to measure whole building energy use, and then share that data with USGBC.
| Jan 1, 2014
San Francisco hosts Net Positive Energy + Water Conference
The Living Building Challenge’s Net Positive Energy + Water Conference will be held Feb. 4-5 in San Francisco.
| Dec 27, 2013
California’s new Title 24 energy code compliance date pushed back to July 1, 2014
Due to the stringency of the provisions in California’s new Title 24 energy codes, their implementation has been postponed until July 1, 2014 to allow jurisdictions and engineers to prepare for them.
| Dec 27, 2013
$1 billion 'city within a city' development approved by Coachella, Calif., city council
The mega development includes 7,800 homes, a retail center, office space, and nearly 350 acres of open space.
