Parking structures are vertical buildings designed for automobile
storage. The primary benefits of parking structures include:
- reduction in the amount of land needed for development
- preservation of green space
- preservation of animal habitats
Additional environmental and financial benefits can be achieved
by implementing a parking structure in place of a parking lot.
Parking lots often entail large areas of
impermeable surface (i.e. asphalt or concrete) resulting in
increased stormwater runoff. Parking structures require much less
horizontal space thereby minimizing runoff. Stormwater systems
designed to compensate for parking lot runoff may also be
reduced, saving upfront project costs. Parking structures also
present a tremendous opportunity for
shared
parking, potentially reducing the total amount of horizontal
area used for parking across an installation.
Figure
1. Well designed parking garage
While a parking structure in and of itself is a sustainable
strategy, there are several additional measures which may be taken
to increase the overall sustainable value. The following suggestions
should be considered when designing and planning a parking
structure:
- Implement green or cool roofs.
- Use high albedo materials for exterior building surfaces.
- Designate the parking structure as a shuttle bus node.
- Provide secure bicycle storage.
- Orientate the structure to make use of daylighting.
- Designate preferred parking for fuel efficient and low
emission vehicles.
- Provide charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles.
- Explore opportunities for solar panels or solar water heaters on the top of the parking garage.
- Consider underground parking (refer and adhere to
UFC 4-010-01, DoD Minimum
Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings).
- Explore opportunities for solar panels or solar water heaters on the top of the parking garage.
Parking structures are a potential strategy to achieve the intent of LEED
SS Credit 5.2 and
SS Credit 6.1.
Refer to the LEED Guidance section for
specific requirements.
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