Philadelphia Considers Berkeley's Green Parking Model to Reimagine Urban Surface Lots

Philadelphia, PA – Inga Saffron, the esteemed architecture critic for The Philadelphia Inquirer, recently sparked urban planning discussions by questioning whether a sustainable and architecturally integrated parking garage model, similar to one in Berkeley, California, could be implemented across Philadelphia's numerous surface parking lots. Her tweet, which included a link to an Instagram post detailing the Berkeley project, highlighted a potential solution for transforming underutilized urban spaces.

"Can we install updated versions of this on all of Philly’s surface parking lots?" Saffron asked, referring to the innovative Center Street Garage in Berkeley.

Saffron has long been a vocal critic of conventional urban parking structures, arguing they often detract from the streetscape and encourage car dependency. However, she acknowledges the necessity of accommodating vehicles in a system where driving remains a primary mode of transport for many. Her advocacy suggests that if parking facilities are essential, they should be designed with both environmental sustainability and aesthetic integration in mind.

The Berkeley Center Street Garage, designed by Wong Logan Architects, serves as a prime example of this philosophy. Completed in 2018, this eight-level, 720-space structure replaced an outdated 1950s garage and has been lauded for its "green" features and striking design. Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín has called it "probably the greenest parking garage in California" due to its rooftop solar panels, rainwater-runoff bio-swales, high-efficiency LED lighting, and extensive bicycle parking with repair stations.

Beyond its environmental credentials, the Berkeley garage features a unique architectural skin of perforated-steel panels and colorful, cantilevered open-air staircases, transforming a typically utilitarian structure into public art. It also includes ground-floor retail space, an art gallery, a cafe, and public bathrooms, aiming to integrate seamlessly into the downtown arts district. The project's success demonstrates that parking facilities can be vibrant community assets rather than urban blight.

Philadelphia faces its own challenges with extensive surface parking, particularly in Center City. Urban planning advocates and organizations like Philadelphia 3.0 have pushed for the redevelopment of these lots, with some property owners, such as Parkway CEO Rob Zuritsky, expressing interest in transitioning out of the parking business to redevelop their holdings. Saffron's proposal aligns with a broader movement to reimagine these spaces, potentially fostering more pedestrian-friendly environments and addressing climate goals.