Occupy the Parking Lot
- Jul 14, 2023
- 2 min read
Parking takes up about one-third of land area in U.S. cities; nationwide, there are an estimated eight parking spaces for every car. The US a country designed for cars, not for community and we're feeling the effects of it in everything from pollution, health outcomes, and loneliness. This recipe is designed to collectively imagine, and then occupy, a future in which our city streets are made for humans and become places of gathering -- not pollution and isolation.
Serves: as many people as you can invite to experience what it would be like if we build cities for people and not cars
Time: as long as you can (but 2-5 hours should be nice)
Ingredients
parking space(s) that have the potential to be more. Spots that could (should) be turned into parklets are ideal
lawn chairs, blankets, things to set up a camp and turn the barren pavement into a welcoming place
snacks, drinks, music, make it festive
optional: signage that asks other people to imagine a future with more space for humans than cars.
How To
Set up your parking space like a beach/park camp out.
Hang out! Welcome others to join you! Relish in making land actually public
Safety notes:
Cars are multi-ton machines and, when behind the wheel, drivers are seldom in solidarity with their fellow humans. Make sure you are visible to cars. Flags, high-viz gear, and lights may help
You can choose to occupy paid parking with or without paying. Payment may give you extra coverage should anyone bother you about being where you are
Substitutions
Turn a private parking spot into a green house/space If you have access to private parking space, how might that space be used year round for more generative purposes? Could you turn it into a container gardening plot? A hammock spot?
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