Parking requirements for shopping centers

A basic component of a shopping center is available and adequate off-street parking to serve the patrons, visitors, and employees of the center. Recognizing the importance of this element has led the shopping center industry to seek out appropriate information on parking demand which could be used to establish industrywide standards for parking requirements. This study, undertaken in support of this goal,must be of sufficient depth and credibility so that all those involved-shopping center owners, developers, and tenants; financial institutions; traffic, parking,and planning professionals; and public officials-can accept the findings and recommendations without qualification. The recommended standards must be rationally conceived, easily understood, and capable of simple application to all types of shopping centers. It is hoped that communities will adopt these standards to the benefit of their citizenry, thus furthering the principle objective of ULI-to foster better land use and development practices.