Transportation Impacts on Cityscape Preservation: Spatial Distribution and Attributes of Surface Parking Lots in the Historic Central Districts

Abstract

Surface parking lots located without careful planning and appropriate regulations, combined with the visual clutter of related signs and equipment, degrade cityscapes. The negative impacts on the cityscape are especially problematic in historic cities such as Kyoto where close attention is paid to historic preservation. In this study, we analyzed the spatial distribution of visitor surface parking within the historic central districts of two cities—Kyoto and Philadelphia—to examine the discontinuity of streetscapes. We also explored how different approaches to historic preservation influenced surface parking locations in these two cities. The analysis results showed that the location patterns of surface parking differed significantly between the two cities. Many small-scale surface parking lots below 500 m2 were distributed throughout the entire city of Kyoto, while a smaller number of large-scale surface parking lots were concentrated in the center of Philadelphia’s historic district. The scattered spatial patterns cause discontinuity of the streetscape in both cities, but to a more substantial magnitude in Kyoto. It is recommended that municipalities with historic significance incorporate appropriate parking plans within the scope of historic preservation.