Integrate parking lot into housing, why not?

The problems with parking in the city

Parking lots in urban areas have long been a burning problem in the city, especially in densely populated areas where the demand for parking spaces exceeds the available supply. Space becomes limited, while the number of cars increases over time. Cities often have limited parking space due to high population density and competing land uses. This scarcity leads to increased competition for parking spaces. When legal parking spots are scarce, drivers may use illegal parking methods, such as parking in no-parking zones, on sidewalks, or blocking fire hydrants, which can obstruct traffic flow and endanger safety. This inevitably leads to illegal parking and may result in fines. Not to mention parking in urban areas can be expensive, whether it’s metered parking, parking garages, or permits. High parking fees can discourage people from visiting certain areas or businesses. Solving urban parking problems often requires a combination of strategies, including better parking management and enforcement, as well as urban planning measures that prioritize pedestrians and public spaces. plus more than a car.

Model integrating parking lot into housing

Today, when the housing crisis in the UK is receiving more and more attention, a housing model is being tested in Bristol in 2020. The ZED Pod project includes affordable stilt houses. specially developed for parking locations. The idea of the project is a type of housing that does not require land because they sit on specially made supports that are placed on top of a space such as a parking lot, while still being able to use the space. That’s the parking lot. It is a high-quality modular housing that is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and built in less time than conventional housing.

Fig .1 – ZEDpod by Hattie Hartman

The project’s target audience is young people or students. This innovative development will regenerate existing land uses in the center of Bristol, introducing new strategies that help tackle the housing crisis while providing homes for everyone. The project has wide application potential because “They can be installed at any large surface car park, such as those owned by local authorities, supermarkets, universities, schools, and hospitals, and as all these locations tend to have good transport links, they come with in-built work and leisure accessibility,” said Bill Dunster, principal of ZEDfactory who make the innovative houses. In addition, reports on a pilot project in Bristol also show that it has delivered 11 zero-carbon homes to the young, helped them find jobs and education, and saved 2/3 on market rent.

Fig .2 – Typology model by ZEDfactory

The future of housing?

Although there are still debates about air quality when living in a parking lot or a rather small and dimly lit living space, it cannot be denied that this model has shown high feasibility as well as potential to replicate even though it’s just a prototype. In the future, this will be a desirable housing model to solve the entire housing crisis in the UK.

Reference

Fig .1 – ZEDpod by Hattie Hartman. Taken from: ZEDpods may be coming to a car park near you. Available at: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/buildings/zedpods-may-be-coming-to-a-car-park-near-you. (Accessed: 19 May 2024).

Fig .2 – Typology model by ZEDfactory. Taken from: ZEDpods. Available at: https://www.zedpods.com/. (Accessed: 19 May 2024).

H. Ibrahim. (2017). Car Parking Problem in Urban Areas, Causes and Solutions. Available at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3163473. (Accessed: 19 May 2024)

Andrew, J. (2016). Meet ZEDpod – the £65,000 house that doesn’t need land. Available at: https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/meet-zedpod-65000-house-doesnt-9356839. (Accessed: 19 May 2024).

GCR Staff (2016). New firm offers snap-together homes above car parks. Available at: https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/new-british-firm-offers-s7nap-toget7her-ho7mes/. (Accessed: 19 May 2024).

Hartman, H. (2016). ZEDpods may be coming to a car park near you. Available at: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/buildings/zedpods-may-be-coming-to-a-car-park-near-you. (Accessed: 19 May 2024).