Parking Situation
One issue I feel needs much consideration is parking in the cities and especially on campus. To be quite truthful...it really pisses me off. I'm aware that expanding parking in already established places and near residential areas is something that cannot be easily executed; however, for future projects, parking should receive a bigger deal of attention. Let’s review some of the parking options.
There are of course parking garages. Parking garages can be great, that is if there is no charge and if they are not used on a regular basis. In my case, this does not apply; I do use garages on a regular basis, and I pay every time.
Option number 2 is miniature parking lots. It’s incredibly frustrating parking in tiny, cramped parking lots. Getting in and out takes much effort and the likelihood of an accident occurring increases.
Last but not least, there is street parking. Metered or not, to locate an open spot almost becomes a game of luck. And much of the time, I find myself having to dig for the quarters at the bottom of my purse. Who seriously has that many quarters handy all the time? It’s even better when there is a limit. What? I can only stay for 1 hour, but I need to stay for two! Oh, and not to mention, parallel parking can be challenging.
I feel it’s important to consider these points. If the frustration of finding a place to park overrides the actual experience of wherever someone is trying to get to, that frustration can deter people from returning.
I truly believe that there should be something done about parking on campus because it is something that could be solved. I think that it is absurd students and staff should pay full price to park in the many garages located on campus. There should be a reduced price for students and staff. By doing so, the school can alleviate a portion of the parking issue, offer another benefit of being part of the University of Minnesota community, and still make money. This is a great university with access to many resources. Why not use those resources to make parking more efficient and student friendly.
As a designer, it’s important to contemplate every aspect of what is being created. This includes things that both directly and indirectly affect it. We must think without boundaries.