More topically, parking is built because city planners and local and state laws require it. It isn't optional, developers can't choose to organically build less over time, it isn't a matter of choice, and it won't acquiesce into anything else.

And the predominance of parking everywhere in America didn't just happen. It was mandated by law.

First world cities with low parking requirements have much less than 5% as much parking as American cities do. Because that is what people will build voluntarily and pay for.

Small anecdote on the parking requirement - in the LA suburb I live in one of the local coffee shops has a large 'seating' area which is nearly devoid of actual seating. Asking the staff why they didn't install more chairs and tables, they said they were not allowed to have more tables than parking spaces, and their location only had a few parking spaces.

So when I walk there I have no place to sit because - well, why would anyone not drive and park to get their latte fix?

By organically I meant people petition, change laws pass ordinances etc at their pace.

Speaking of low parking slot cities, ever enjoy having sidewalks and pavement taken up by parked cars. Slots or not, people park their cars.

Tokyo requires that car owners prove they have a reserved parking stall before allowing them to register a vehicle. That takes care of sidewalk parking.

But the easiest way to eliminate sidewalk parking is to install meters on the street spaces. Then the local authorities will promptly tow sidewalk parkers for meter evasion. The problem only crops up where parking is mandated and free.

Leys see how that works out on counties with corruption endemic at low levels of enforcement.

Mexico City had no parking meters six years ago and a serious sidewalk parking problem. As the new meters go into neighborhoods, the local parking cops (on bicycles with a trailer full of Denver boots) detain illegal parkers.

It works absolutely great. The neighborhood has new cash to spend on improvements and there's legal space to park in for a price.