Title: Reclaiming urban space through parking design: a framework for small parking lots introduction

Authors: Paulo Cantillano-Lizana; Giulia Renzi

Addresses: Department of Engineering Sciences and Methods, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giovanni Amendola, 2, 42122, Reggio Emilia RE, Italy ' Department of Engineering Sciences and Methods, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giovanni Amendola, 2, 42122, Reggio Emilia RE, Italy

Abstract: Urban areas face challenges from congestion and pollution, driving efforts to reclaim space for sustainable mobility. This study presents a methodology to assess the impact of small parking lots for quadricycles and A-segment cars, considering their lower costs and manoeuvrability. The approach divides the study area into polygons based on walking distance and surrounding activities, analysing three key metrics: parking area length (PAL), parking area capacity (PAC), and parking daily rate of utilisation (PDRU). A scenario matrix, incorporating real-world market data, evaluates alternative parking strategies. Applied in Budapest, where A-segment cars represent 6% of the market, nine scenarios tested varying vehicle lengths and shares. Results highlight that while small parking lots can free urban space, their effectiveness depends on market share and walking preferences. The scalable methodology supports broader European applications, promoting optimised urban areas and sustainable mobility by tailoring parking strategies to local conditions.

Keywords: urban space; parking optimisation; car-free cities; urban mobility; traffic congestion; pollution; sustainable mobility; quadricycles; sustainability; urban planning; small vehicles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMABS.2026.152186

International Journal of Markets and Business Systems, 2026 Vol.7 No.1, pp.81 - 96

Received: 10 Apr 2025
Accepted: 11 May 2025
Published online: 10 Mar 2026 *

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