# Reclaiming Paved Paradise Parking Day Redefines Public Spaces By Cecilia Biemann | Published 2008-09-20 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parking-day-reclaiming-parking-spaces-for-people-friendly-spaces References: [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/it-is-september-19th-happy-park-ing-day.php) & [parkingday.org](http://www.parkingday.org/) Park(ing) Day is an international event that sees the reclaiming of hundreds of parking spots in scores of cities around the world, which are transformed into relaxing public spaces for [one day out of the year](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oneday-activation). Campaigning for livable, people-friendly streets, people are turning city [parking spaces into human hangouts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-furniture1) for the day, giving local residents a spot of green relief from all the asphalt. The goal is also to start a conversation about what public space is and how it should be used; focusing on [urban planning topics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-ecological-design) such as urban foraging, water issues and the importance of open/green space for city dwellers. Parking Day is organized by artists, architects, planners, advocates, and citizens who are working together to make an argument for more people-friendly use of urban public space. It all began in October 2005, when the group Transportation Alternatives took over a parking space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. They created their first 'parking spot squat,' which offered free bike parking and a place to sit and talk to friends. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 9% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Park(ing) Day:** The growth of Park(ing) Day demonstrates an opportunity for urban planners and designers to incorporate more green spaces into cities. - **People-friendly Cities:** The popularity of Park(ing) Day highlights the need for more people-friendly cities, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to create new products and services that cater to these cities. - **Urban Planning Conversations:** The conversations sparked by Park(ing) Day provide an opportunity for urban planners, policymakers, and citizens to work together to create more livable and sustainable cities. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Urban Planning:** The growth of Park(ing) Day opens up new opportunities for urban planning firms to incorporate more green spaces and people-friendly features into cities. - **Architecture:** As more cities embrace the Park(ing) Day concept, architects will have the opportunity to design new public spaces that are people-friendly and sustainable. - **Sustainability:** Park(ing) Day is just one example of many sustainability initiatives that could inspire new innovation in industries such as renewable energy, green transportation, and waste reduction. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Payment-Giving Parking Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/payment-parking-app.md) - [Peer-to-Peer Parking Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valay-park.md) - [Simulation Parking Lot Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/car-park-capital.md) - [Smart Parking Access](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/park4me.md) - [Automotive Parking Lot Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parking-lot-pop-up.md) - [Park-Covered Structural Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ola-palermo.md) - [Beautified Community Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beauty-at-the-bentway.md) - [Unwinding Multifunctional Charging Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/better-energy-charge.md) - [Pop-Up Dog Parks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unleashed-dog-park.md)