The care and feeding of parking culture in Japan
By Carter Hammett
It’s interesting to note that at one point the Liberals were considering bringing in one million immigrants to our fair and native land. Ultimately that idea was rejected and the Libs opted for immigration levels capped at about one percent of the population: around 400,000.
Last year the Canadian population hit 40 million: a significant milestone. While this is indeed a big deal for Canadians, I often wonder about the impact on our health care system, available housing and yes, infrastructure.
Among these distinctly urban concerns is the fact that in cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal parking availability is at the absolute minimum. Automotive density in Montreal alone has shot up recently by a whopping 29 per cent. How then to solve this problem?
One possible model to emulate might be that of Japan. Indeed, With a fraction of Canada’s space and a population topping 122 million, the Japanese have had a lot of practice mastering the fine art of parking.
One of the more interesting aspects of Japanese parking is that street parking is virtually unheard of, and usually forbidden, especially overnight. In city centers where density is at its highest, street parking is only permitted where there is a parking sign with a specific time limit stated on it. Outside most city centres, where there’s dozens of supermarkets, parking is usually both free and abundant.
An important aspect of the Japanese law requires everyone to prove that they have legal off-street parking, either purchased or leased, before they can actually purchase a vehicle. The car will not be registered without this proof.
Furthermore, in heavily populated areas like Osaka and Tokyo, the urban planners and architects have had to resort to creative parking solutions that rival those of anywhere in the world.
One of these, Shinjuku Gardens, located in Tokyo, is considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing in the country. This is because the walls are composed of plants that not only look great but also purify oxygen by absorbing gas exhaust. There is even a roof where people can take a break surrounded by an abundance of greenery.
Another solution that’s become globally famous is the concept of automated car parks. Most cities in Japan have narrow towers containing automated parking spaces and these usually feature a chain of baskets or trays that circle the building carrying vehicles or an elevator that both parks and returns the car to you. Once a driver has left the vehicle, the system identifies a vacant parking spot and moves the car into position for you.
The downside to this kind of ingenuity however, is that the system relies on a disproportionately high level of energy. The popularity of automated parking systems is gradually declining as electricity costs soar and and the use of cars in urban centers decreases.
No less innovative, in fact, commonplace in major urban centers is vertical parking. A large circular platform is place on a lower level in a cabin that rises to the top and then descends. When the vehicle needs to be pulled out the wheel stops. The car gets stored and occupies minimal space and can be retrieved quite easily and usually run entirely by computers.
Many of these systems have been designed to be earthquake resistant and much of the similar design has started being applied to bicycles as well.
As Canada’s major urban centers continue to welcome new arrivals from elsewhere, the pressure will be felt on everything from long term care to energy to urban planning. Parking will continue to be an issue. We’d be wise to emulate the Japanese model and take a proactive stance when thinking about future urban requirements that will require creative solutions as our cities grow larger, denser and ultimately more dynamic.
