Looking for your next great read on urbanism or parking reform? We’ve compiled a list of six must-read books for 2024 that explore how parking, transportation, and city planning shape our lives. While not all of these titles focus exclusively on parking, each was chosen to equip readers with the knowledge and perspectives needed to address the many complementary aspects of parking reform. Together, they provide insights on key topics like climate action, equity, transportation policy, zoning laws, and community-driven advocacy.
By reading all six, you’ll be well-prepared to engage with the diverse audiences and intersecting issues that parking reform touches. For even more inspiration, don’t forget to check out the parking reform bookshelf compiled by our president, Tony, in his blog article from 2020. It’s a treasure trove of thoughtful titles that cover all facets of parking reform.
Our Top Picks for 2024:
1. Paved Paradise, by Henry Grabar
From heated disputes over parking spaces to the far-reaching economic implications of (free) parking policies, Grabar masterfully weaves together history, economics, and human psychology to reveal how parking shapes the fabric of our cities and our lives. For a deeper dive into the book, check out the thoughtful review by none other than Donald Shoup himself, available here on our website.
Why it’s compelling: One of the most powerful aspects of Paved Paradise is how it tells the story of parking through the lens of personal narratives. It even includes a chapter entitled “The Shoupistas Take City Hall” that explains what led Tony Jordan, Jane Wilberding, Mike Kwan and Lindsay Bailey to create PRN, amongst other local advocacy movements. Grabar’s ability to connect these human stories to broader urban planning issues makes the book a real page-turner.
Our friends at Island Press currently have a big sale on all their print books! From now till November 24th, you can get 50% off all print books + free shipping on orders over $100.
2. Killed by a Traffic Engineer by Wes Marshall
With the US now nearing four million road deaths since records began, Wes Marshall’s sharp critique of conventional traffic engineering reveals how the pursuit of car-centric efficiency has devastated communities. Marshall examines how prioritizing vehicle speed and flow often leads to unnecessary harm and fatalities, disproportionately affecting pedestrians, cyclists, and vulnerable populations.
We had the privilege of hosting Wes Marshall in one of our recent webinars, where he shared insights from his book and answered questions from attendees. If you missed it, you can watch the recording on YouTube here.
Why it’s compelling: Marshall’s call to reimagine streets as spaces for people aligns perfectly with the goals of parking reform. By challenging systems that prioritize cars above all else, we open the door to reclaiming land used for parking and roads, opening up the door for more equitable and sustainable urban land use patterns.
3. Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It by Nolan Gray
Nolan Gray dismantles the often-overlooked world of zoning, explaining how these seemingly mundane rules perpetuate inequality, sprawl, and housing crises. With wit and clarity, Gray offers pragmatic solutions for reform, showing how cities can grow in ways that benefit everyone.
Why it’s compelling: Nolan not only shows how parking mandates are built on arbitrary foundations, but that things like minimum lot sizes, apartment bans, and land use segregation are equally arbitrary and problematic. Arbitrary Lines underscores how eliminating these outdated regulations can help cities become more walkable, affordable, and vibrant, making it a must-read for parking reform advocates.
4. When Driving is Not an Option by Anna Zivarts
Anna Zivarts brings a fresh perspective to the transportation conversation, centering the voices of those who cannot or choose not to drive. Through stories and analysis, she highlights how car dependency marginalizes millions and advocates for transit systems that prioritize equity and accessibility. Over the summer we had the pleasure to feature Anna Zivarts in our live Q&A sessions, where she discussed the themes of her book and shared insights on how to create a more inclusive transportation future. You can watch the recording on YouTube here.
Why it’s compelling: A third of Americans do not have a driver’s license, and many of them are what Anna calls involuntary nondrivers –people with disabilities, lower income, unhoused, the elderly, etc.–. By focusing on this often overlooked demographic, her book puts a human face on the consequences of car-centric planning. It highlights the need to reform our zoning code in ways that prioritize people-centric urban design to create cities where people of all abilities and incomes can thrive without being forced into car ownership.
5. Human Transit: How Clearer Thinking about Public Transit Can Enrich Our Communities and Our Lives by Jarrett Walker
Jarrett Walker offers a masterclass in transit design and policy, breaking down complex concepts into digestible ideas. His focus on the interplay between design choices, community needs, and funding constraints makes this an essential read for anyone passionate about improving public transportation. While the first edition of Human Transit was published in 2011, his revised edition expands on the tools and critical questions advocates need to be better equipped to ensure good transportation outcomes.
Why it’s compelling: Parking and transit are inextricably linked. A transit-friendly city reduces parking demand, enabling us to reimagine underused parking lots as spaces for affordable housing, parks, or other community needs. Walker’s insights are a valuable toolkit for building cities less dependent on cars.
6. Climate Action for Busy People by Cate Mingoya-LaFortune
As cities grapple with unprecedented heat waves, storms, and fires, Climate Action for Busy People provides a hopeful and actionable roadmap for individuals and communities to create climate-resilient neighborhoods. Drawing on her experience in climate adaptation and community organizing, Cate Mingoya-LaFortune offers practical solutions for people of all ages and skill levels. From weekend projects like tree plantings and depaving parties to advocating for municipal-level change, the book emphasizes that equitable and lasting solutions often start at the local level.
We’re excited to host Cate Mingoya-LaFortune for a live discussion about her book on November 18th. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from the author and ask your questions about taking local climate action. RSVP here to join the event!
Why it’s compelling: Climate resilience and parking reform are deeply interconnected, as we highlighted in our recent blog post, 8 Ways That Parking Reform is Climate Action. Projects like depaving underused parking lots, reducing impervious surfaces, or creating green infrastructure directly address urban heat islands and flooding while making neighborhoods more livable. This book provides practical, scalable solutions that align with these goals, empowering readers to take meaningful steps, no matter how busy they are, toward a safer and greener future.
While these six books are a fantastic starting point, they’re just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding parking reform and its many intersecting issues. If you have a favorite book that you think would complement this list, we’d love to hear about it! Drop your recommendations in the comments below and let’s keep the conversation going.
