As the world moves towards more sustainable and environmentally conscious living, every aspect of urban infrastructure is undergoing a transformation, including how we manage parking facilities. One of the significant advances in this sector is the Parksmart Certification, which is designed to improve the sustainability of parking garages and facilities. Administered by the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), Parksmart is the world’s only rating system specifically tailored to promote sustainable mobility and resource-efficient parking structures. This certification system encourages the design, operation, and management of parking structures with a focus on energy efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced community integration.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the details of Parksmart Certification, the process of obtaining it, its benefits, and its broader implications for sustainable urban development.
What is Parksmart Certification?
Parksmart Certification is a comprehensive, voluntary certification system that evaluates parking facilities based on their sustainability performance. The certification system is built around the core principles of reducing the environmental impact of parking facilities, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting alternative transportation modes, and improving the overall design and management of parking infrastructure.
Parksmart addresses parking structure design, technological innovation, and operational performance. The rating system is based on a points framework, with facilities earning points in various categories such as:
- Management (operations and programs that enhance sustainability)
- Programming (encouraging sustainable modes of transportation)
- Technology and Structure Design (design features and infrastructure that support sustainability)
Much like LEED certification for buildings, Parksmart offers parking structure owners and operators the opportunity to showcase their commitment to sustainability while gaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
The Growing Importance of Sustainable Parking
Parking structures are a significant part of urban development, yet they are often overlooked in sustainability discussions. In densely populated cities, parking garages play a critical role in managing the flow of vehicles, reducing congestion, and minimizing urban sprawl. However, parking structures also present several environmental challenges, such as:
- Energy Consumption: The lighting, ventilation, and heating/cooling systems in parking garages consume significant amounts of energy.
- Land Use and Environmental Impact: Traditional parking structures are often built with little regard for environmental concerns, taking up valuable urban space and contributing to heat island effects.
- Congestion and Emissions: Conventional parking facilities can exacerbate traffic congestion and increase greenhouse gas emissions due to poor design and inefficient traffic flow management.
By implementing Parksmart Certification, developers and operators can significantly reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with parking facilities. Certified facilities are designed to enhance energy efficiency, encourage the use of alternative transportation, and improve the user experience while reducing their carbon footprint.
Categories and Points System in Parksmart Certification
The Parksmart Certification framework is divided into three key categories:
- Management
- Programs
- Technology and Structure Design
Each category focuses on different aspects of parking facility operations and sustainability, with points awarded based on the level of compliance and implementation of sustainable practices.
1. Management
The Management category focuses on operational practices that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the parking facility. This includes aspects such as maintenance strategies, energy-efficient lighting, and water conservation measures. Parking structures can earn points for implementing energy audits, having sustainable maintenance practices, and optimizing lighting systems to reduce electricity consumption.
Key measures in this category include:
- Energy-efficient lighting systems: LED lighting and daylight sensors that reduce energy consumption.
- Water-efficient landscaping: Reducing water waste in facility landscaping and water features.
- Green cleaning programs: Utilizing non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products and practices.
2. Programs
The Programs category emphasizes promoting alternative transportation methods and minimizing single-occupancy vehicle use. Points are awarded for facilities that offer programs encouraging carpooling, electric vehicle (EV) charging, bicycle parking, and proximity to public transit.
Key measures in this category include:
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Facilities that provide accessible EV charging stations receive significant points for encouraging cleaner transportation options.
- Carpool and Vanpool Programs: Designating spaces for carpool and vanpool vehicles helps reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Bicycle Parking and Amenities: Encouraging the use of bicycles through dedicated bicycle parking, showers, and changing rooms.
3. Technology and Structure Design
This category focuses on the physical aspects of the parking structure, including its design, technology integration, and materials. Sustainable design and innovation are crucial for minimizing the environmental impact of the facility.
Key measures in this category include:
- Renewable Energy Integration: Facilities that integrate renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, gain points for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Sustainable Materials: Using recycled or locally sourced materials during the construction of the parking structure.
- Stormwater Management Systems: Effective management of stormwater through permeable surfaces and rainwater harvesting.
Steps to Obtain Parksmart Certification
Achieving Parksmart Certification involves a systematic process that evaluates the design, construction, and operational phases of a parking structure. The process typically includes the following steps:
1. Pre-Assessment
The first step in pursuing Parksmart Certification is conducting a pre-assessment like assesing LEED Requirements. This step involves evaluating the current design or operational state of the parking facility to determine how it measures up against Parksmart standards. The pre-assessment helps to identify areas where improvements can be made.
2. Register the Project
Once the decision to pursue certification is made, the project must be registered with GBCI. This is the formal step where the facility owner or operator expresses their intention to achieve certification.
3. Assessment and Documentation
During this phase, facility owners work with a Parksmart Advisor or consultant to compile the necessary documentation that demonstrates compliance with Parksmart criteria. This may include energy audits, records of maintenance practices, installation of EV charging stations, and more.
4. Submit for Certification
After gathering all the documentation, the project is submitted to GBCI for review. A third-party assessment team evaluates the application based on the points framework. Once approved, the parking structure is awarded the Parksmart Certification, and the project can be publicly recognized as a sustainable facility.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
Parksmart Certification is not a one-time achievement. To maintain the certification and continue benefiting from it, parking facilities must adhere to sustainable practices and may be required to submit periodic reports to GBCI for ongoing monitoring.
Benefits of Parksmart Certification
The benefits of obtaining Parksmart Certification extend beyond environmental sustainability; it offers financial, social, and competitive advantages to parking facility owners and operators.
1. Energy and Cost Savings
Energy-efficient lighting systems, improved ventilation, and renewable energy sources can significantly reduce operational costs. Parksmart-certified facilities tend to have lower utility bills due to reduced energy consumption, which results in long-term cost savings.
2. Enhanced User Experience
Certified parking facilities often provide a better user experience by offering amenities such as EV charging stations, bicycle parking, and well-lit, safer environments. This can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, encouraging repeat visits.
3. Attracting Environmentally Conscious Consumers
As sustainability becomes a critical concern for consumers, businesses, and governments alike, Parksmart Certification helps parking facilities appeal to environmentally conscious customers and tenants. Facilities that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability are more likely to attract green-minded individuals and companies looking to align with eco-friendly practices.
4. Positive Environmental Impact
The implementation of sustainable practices directly reduces the environmental footprint of the parking facility. Through reduced energy consumption, support for alternative transportation, and sustainable design, Parksmart-certified facilities contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced urban heat islands, and improved air quality.
5. Competitive Edge
Parksmart Certification differentiates parking facilities in a competitive marketplace. As developers and city planners increasingly prioritize sustainability, certified facilities are more likely to win contracts, leases, or customers. This certification demonstrates that a parking facility is at the forefront of innovation and environmental stewardship.
6. Compliance with Regulations and Incentives
As governments implement stricter environmental regulations and offer incentives for sustainable practices, having a Parksmart-certified parking structure can position facility owners to take advantage of tax breaks, rebates, or regulatory preferences. In cities where green building codes are becoming more common, Parksmart Certification helps ensure compliance with these evolving standards.
The Role of Parksmart in Sustainable Urban Development
Parksmart Certification aligns with global efforts to create smarter, greener cities. As cities strive to reduce their carbon footprints, enhance livability, and promote sustainable transportation, parking facilities play a crucial yet often overlooked role. Parksmart contributes to urban sustainability by optimizing parking facility design, reducing environmental impacts, and encouraging behaviors that promote cleaner transportation options.
By certifying parking structures that support alternative modes of transportation and energy-efficient technologies, Parksmart is helping cities move closer to their sustainability goals. In this way, Parksmart Certification is not just about parking garages—it’s about rethinking how urban spaces are designed, used, and maintained to minimize their environmental impact.
Conclusion
As the only sustainability certification specifically designed for parking structures, Parksmart is setting a new standard for how these essential urban facilities are designed and operated. Through its comprehensive approach to energy efficiency, sustainable design, and alternative transportation, Parksmart Certification helps reduce the environmental footprint of parking structures while providing numerous benefits for facility owners, operators, and users.
For cities looking to lead in sustainability, integrating Parksmart-certified parking facilities is an important step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and fostering sustainable transportation practices. As the world continues to urbanize, Parksmart Certification will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the sustainable cities of tomorrow.