Contemporary Urban Planning - Article Example

? 13th January Contemporary Urban Planning Development of cities and increase of jobs opportunities are vital aspect that countries are focused at attaining in the 21st century. The recent economic recession negatively affected the performance of many economies leading to an intensive competition for the available resources especially in the urban areas. In this regard, it is vital for city councils to emulate appropriate planning strategies to ensure that the available parking spaces are effectively utilized for the benefit of the drivers and business community. This paper seeks to reflect on various issues that concern urban planning as far as packing spaces are concerned. Regulating parking prices The increased need to diversify investment portfolio has resulted to opening of more businesses in cities as well as establishment of taxi industry especially by young investors. This implies that it is essential for city authorities to adopt right parking prices. It is worth to note that high prices may result to empty curb spaces thus leading to various negativities not only to the business but also to the environment. For example, businesses that are located near parking areas will lose customers, leading to low sales and reduced profits. Due to reduced business operations large number of employees loses jobs resulting to high poverty level especially in the urban areas. In the same way, low packing prices will increase the demand for packing spaces. In their efforts to search for packing spaces, motorists highly contribute to environmental pollution through the emission of carbon. Similarly, traffic jams are experienced and the level of fuel wastage is high. One of the key measures that city authorities should advocate for is setting up proper pricing mechanisms that will ensure availability of at least two parking spaces in every building (Donald 36). Through adoption of performance pricing, parking spaces will not only be appropriately used but also they will be available. In addition, the level of environmental pollution caused by carbon that is emitted during traffic congestion will greatly be reduced. It is also vital to note that one of major causes of economic backwardness of third world countries are the many hours that employees take while in traffic jams. This means that through performance pricing, the time taken by drivers in traffic congestion will be highly reduced. A notable city that has effectively utilized performance parking is San Francisco. Through the SFpark, the city has put in place meter that does not only report the availability of parking spaces but also they charge variable prices (Donald 12). Implication of right prices on business performance Installation of parking meters has attracted criticism from some drivers. For instance, some motorists in San Francisco argue that the use of meter especially during the evening will demotivate them from going to the restaurants located at the downtown. However, appropriate location of meters will result to proper management of parking spaces that will ensure one or two spaces are available for the customers who are willing to pay the fees. One of the major benefits of adopting performance parking in the contemporary urban planning is that motorist who are willing to pay the fees are also in a position to carry customers who are loyal to the businesses located near parking areas. This will ultimately result to more sales for such business thus creating more job opportunities. In the same way, carpooling is enhanced thus resulting to the reduction of packing costs incurred by individual drivers. One of the merits that make performance prices reliable is that they are sensitive to demand. For example, during recession the parking prices are deemed to fall thus resulting to continuous flow of customers. This will not only increase the sales of businesses but also employment opportunities will be generated in the urban areas. Role of parking fees on the expansion of public utilities To motivate drivers to pay parking fees it is vital for city councils and the central government to dedicate large portion of the revenue generated to cater for public services. These services include pedestrian paths, repairing of bridges and telephone cables among others. In this way, business communities and property owners in the urban areas will experience the benefits of paying parking fees. A good example of a region that developed as a result of adopting parking meter is Old Pasadena. Through allocation of more than $1 million obtained from parking income, Old Pasadena authorities made the district to be a major tourist attraction. In developing countries corruption and misuse of revenue generated from parking services is a major cause of underdevelopment of urban cities. It is prudent for government authorities to instigate proper accounting and auditing of city council financial records to ensure accountability and vices that lead to loss of public funds. Effective parking policies Based on the importance of parking prices on the development of urban areas, it is fundamental for initiation of parking policies that are focused at proper management of parking spaces. One way of improving parking services is reduction of time limits and minimum parking requirements. In this way, customers who visit nearby restaurants and other social places are given ample time to undertake their services. Additionally, affordable housing is generated while businesses register high sales. Due to the increased population in the urban areas, it is necessary for adoption of proper legislation that ensure that urban planning is undertaken in an effective way to raise the level of housing units that caters for the needs of business people and residence. Conclusion The contribution of parking revenue on the development of cities is an important issue that city councils cannot overlook. This implies that proper pricing mechanisms should be put in place to avoid low or high prices that have direct implications on the performance of businesses and provision of public services. Through proper use of parking revenue to provide public services, city authorities will significantly motivate drivers to pay parking fees. In the same way, effective policies should be put in place to avoid loss of parking revenue through corruption or theft. Such policies include parliamentary legislation that relate to parking services as well as regular auditing of the city councils books of accounts. Works Cited Donald Shoup. The high Cost of Free Parking.Los Angeles:APA Planners Press, 2005. Read More