I recently read “The High Cost of Free Parking” by Donald Shoup, a UCLA urban planning professor, who argues that “free” parking comes with significant hidden costs. By requiring abundant free parking, cities end up encouraging urban sprawl, increasing traffic congestion, and contributing to environmental damage.
Free parking is not truly free — it is a subsidy that shifts costs onto the public while incentivizing driving over more sustainable alternatives. Shoup also points out that a meaningful share of traffic in busy areas consists of drivers simply circling in search of free parking, adding to congestion and frustration for everyone.
His work, widely regarded as highly influential in urban planning, has inspired cities to experiment with market-based pricing and other parking reforms that better balance access, efficiency, and livability.
As Coronado considers its own future, it may be time to rethink the assumption that parking should always be free. A community designed primarily around cars comes at a cost. A community designed for people — walkability, safety, and quality of life — offers far greater long-term value.
