LA's parking crater

A recent study in the Journal of the American Planning Association estimates there are 18.6 million parking spots in Los Angeles County, which would cover an area 16 miles in diameter if combined in a single 200-square-mile parking lot. Even spread throughout the region, these parking spaces are a ubiquitous feature in the landscape—not just in LA, but across America. "They extend the distances between our destinations, raise prices and housing costs, and discourage healthier forms of transportation like walking and biking," explains Betterinsitutions.com. The study shows that LA's "parking crater" has steadily increased since 1950. Parking requirements, zoning, and investment in commercial thoroughfares designed only for automobiles are a significant factor in that growth. How big is the "parking crater" in your community?