Researchers predict Americans will own fewer cars within the next 20 years as automated vehicles become ubiquitous on American roadways, and developers are already preparing for the shift in future projects.
Some developers in urban centers are cutting out garages altogether to make units more affordable. Others are turning to automated parking lifts, which reduce the square footage needed per car by about 80%. These automated lots cost less to construct and can be easily repurposed if parking demand falls, GlobeSt reports.
While it remains unclear to what extent self-driving cars and ridesharing services will weaken parking demand, developers across the country are watching the trend and planning their buildings accordingly.
