The Law of Centrality in a Sea of Parking

The law of centrality specifies limits to the maximum size buildings can achieve under certain carefully prescribed conditions. This paper derives the law of centrality in a sea of parking and illustrates the law's effects on the built environment. A mathematical model is presented that describes this relationship in more vigorous fashion. Limits on centrality in a sea of parking may include access, density and landscaping. Initial hypothesis include that maximum building size (serving as a reasonable proxy for centrality) should: increase with maximum walking distance; decrease with minimum parking requirements; increase with the average number of building floors and parking levels; and decrease with the share of building or parking area devoted to landscaping. Historical trends in shopping center size and parking requirements are used to illustrate the operation of the law in land use planning, zoning and development practice.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/614107147
• Authors:
  • Ferguson, Erik
• Publication Date: 2006-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 6p
• Serial:
  • ITE Journal
  • Publisher: Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
  • ISSN: 0162-8178
  • Serial URL: https://www.ite.org/publications/ite-journal/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Access; Land use planning; Landscaping; Mathematical models; Parking demand; Parking facilities; Real estate development; Shopping centers; Structures; Walking distance; Zoning
• Uncontrolled Terms: Law of centrality
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Terminals and Facilities; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01020077
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 15 2006 8:24AM