Considerations in the recycling of urban parking garages

Abstract

Because of the decreasing use of private automobiles in city centers and because of usual development pressures, some urban parking garages will become available for replacement or recycling. The choice between replacement or recycling of an abandoned garage is based on cost, but many other factors influence this decision. The suitability of a garage for recycling can often be determined by the consideration of three simple indicators: the type of garage, the horizontal depth of the building, and the typical floor-to-ceiling height. Following the determination of basic suitability, several architectural and structural issues must be considered in order to identify potential problems in the intended recycling and in order to discover practical solutions to these problems. The determination of suitability and the consideration of architectural and structural problems are discussed generally, and are demonstrated in the study of the West Garage.