Parksmart is a certification program that rates the sustainability of parking structures. It is administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), which also certifies LEED projects, and grew out of the Green Garage Certification program developed by the International Parking and Mobility Institute.
Unlike general building rating systems, Parksmart is written for parking. It rewards measures in three areas: how the facility is managed, the mobility programs it offers, and its technology and structure design. Points earned determine the level: Pioneer, Bronze, Silver or Gold. New and existing structures can both be certified.
What Parksmart rewards
- Management. Pricing, shared parking, maintenance, recycling and occupant engagement.
- Programs. Car sharing, bicycle parking, transit and EV charging. See TDM.
- Technology and design. Efficient lighting and ventilation, renewable energy, guidance systems, stormwater management and durable design. See LED lighting and solar canopy.
Why owners pursue it
- Lower operating costs from energy and maintenance measures.
- Recognition from tenants, lenders and public agencies.
- A framework for improving existing facilities, not just new ones.
The Parkonomics view
Parksmart measures parking by how well it is run, not only how it is built. That makes it a useful checklist even for owners who never apply.
Related terms: Sustainability, GBCI, LEED, USGBC, Embodied Carbon