What if all parking lots were parks and parking was underground?

Question

I took the San Diego trolley to the end of the line to a new mall in Santee, California. This is a very nice new mall with acres of parking lots. Wouldn’t it be a better city plan to have designed the parking under the stores and have a tranquil park environment between shops? Think of the difference this would make.

I get to thinking of how much our culture is based on driving there and shopping... Shopping is good and getting there is fun too, but I just want there to be more of a balance of asphalt to nature. We would be more peaceful if we had more trees and plants among us.

What do you think? I want the city planners of today and tomorow to think like this.

So many "Debbie Downers"...

Answer 1

Wow! I love this idea! I know in this crazy world where the only seemingly important thing is to use the land to make money, more money, and keep building our cities based on marketing rather than living spaces where we co habitat with nature... we can dream, can we. I think we can have it all. I really wish we can some how all get together and build based on a vision uniting a complimenting architectural styles and combining elements of nature. Sigh... Now our asthetic world is only based on who ones what piece of property, and who has enough money to do what with it.

Answer 2

As the cities become more congested, they'll look more into this layering technique. But, right now, they just do whatever's cheapest. And it's cheaper to just cut down the trees and throw down some black top than dig giant caverns and build underground parking garages.

Answer 3

Sounds nice... The bad thing is that if there is a disaster, no one could go anywhere. It would have to be done somewhere where weather isn't an issue. if you can figure out how to convince someone otherwise... You may be onto something.

Answer 4

And how soon would the gangs and muggers take over the under ground parking facilities?