In “Paved Paradise” by Henry Grabar, we explore how arbitrary parking requirements often make housing more expensive or prevent housing from being built at all. Joining us is Tony Jordan, founder of the Parking Reform Network , who is a subject of the book and talks to us about it.

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Audio book for Paved Paradise (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/4cOxzR3eBcUhTqsfSNnPgm

Audio book for High Cost of Free Parking (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/7LM6rWafJcvb0aZeWDjLvh

Order the book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/paved-paradise-how-parking-explains-the-world-henry-grabar/18727296?ean=9781984881151

Join the Parking Reform Network: https://parkingreform.org/

Grabar’s book reveals the hidden costs of “free” parking – from increased housing costs to environmental damage, from struggling small businesses to less walkable cities. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, he shows how minimum parking requirements have reshaped our urban landscape, often at the expense of affordability and livability.

Tony Jordan brings his expertise from the frontlines of parking reform, sharing success stories of cities that have eliminated parking minimums and the resulting benefits for housing development and community vitality. We explore how these changes have opened up new possibilities for addressing the housing crisis and creating more vibrant neighborhoods.

We delve into the fascinating history of how American cities became dominated by parking requirements, from the post-war boom to today’s reform movement. The conversation reveals how these policies were created with good intentions but have led to unintended consequences that we’re still grappling with today.

The book and our discussion challenge common assumptions about parking, showing how better management of this valuable urban resource can help create more affordable, sustainable, and livable communities. We explore innovative solutions being implemented across the country and discuss what the future might hold as cities evolve and transportation patterns change.

Whether you’re a housing advocate, an urban planner, or simply someone interested in how cities work, this episode offers fresh insights into one of the most overlooked aspects of urban development. Join us as we explore how rethinking parking could help solve our housing challenges and create better cities for everyone.

This episode bridges the gap between housing policy and transportation planning, showing how these interconnected systems shape our communities and affect our daily lives. Through Grabar’s research and Jordan’s practical experience, we see both the challenges and opportunities in transforming our approach to parking.