Parking design is the planning and design of parking facilities: their layout and geometry, circulation, structure, systems and user experience, within the limits of the site, the budget and the applicable codes.
In the United States it is a specialized field, usually led by parking consultants working with architects and engineers. The National Parking Association’s Dimensions of Parking is a standard reference. Good parking design starts with how many spaces are needed, for whom and when, and only then turns to how to build them.
What it covers
- Functional design. Stall and aisle geometry, circulation, ramps and level of service.
- Structure. Structural system, spans, durability and drainage.
- Systems. PARCS, lighting, ventilation, fire protection, EV charging and security.
- People. Vertical circulation, wayfinding, accessibility and safety.
- Future. Flexibility for other uses and new mobility. See future-flexible design.
The Parkonomics view
Most parking design problems start upstream, with an unquestioned number of spaces. Test demand, sharing and pricing before drawing a stall; the best garage is often a smaller one.
Related terms: Parking Geometry, Circulation System, Structural Systems of Parking, Parking Demand Analysis, Future-Flexible Design, Special-Use Parking Facilities, Free-Standing Parking Garage
Further reading: The Evolution of U.S. Parking Structures in 2026