Theses Master's

"Curb Space Management Methods for the City of Prague"

Vala, Sofia

The amount of space occupied by on-street parking in Prague is nearly equivalent to that of the city's green spaces. It is perplexing that such significant priority is given to cars in densely populated urban areas, especially considering that they remain unused for 97% of their lifespan. Hence, the primary research question that drove my investigation was, "What are the leading curb space management methods that the city of Prague can employ to make more strategic use of its curb space?" In addition, my operational research question sought to explore the various environmental, health, safety, economic, and social opportunity costs associated with prioritizing curb space for private parking.

The Institute for Planning and Development in Prague served as the client for this capstone project, entitled "Curb Space Management Methods for the City of Prague." This scholarly undertaking was a collaborative effort between the heads of the Institute's offices for Transportation Infrastructure and Public Space.

The project design was comprehensive, encompassing a wide range of research methods, including qualitative, quantitative, and spatial research, evaluation, proposition, and adaptation methods. The study's most noteworthy findings were classified into two distinct categories: alternative non-parking usage of curb space and policy recommendations. The alternative usage of curb space comprised various applications, such as green infrastructure, micromobility, and access for freight and commercial vehicles, all of which better cater to the city's economic, health, and environmental needs. The policy recommendations centered on implementing stricter enforcement and imposing higher penalties for illegal parking, limiting parking permits, and raising awareness among the general public about the advantages of utilizing public transportation, cycling, and walking instead of driving.

This research was conducted by Sofia Vala, under the guidance and supervision of her advisor, Anthony Vanky.

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More About This Work

Academic Units
Urban Planning
Thesis Advisors
Vanky, Anthony P.
Degree
M.S., Columbia University
Published Here
July 19, 2023