In today’s urban environment, especially one like Melrose Arch, parking spots are becoming less used – mainly thanks to walkable precincts and ride-hailing services like Uber and Taxify. Web Urbanist wrote about how these spaces are being re-imagined as pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly zones where we can be more efficient in our usage, and even simply relax in a space where once we housed our mobile stress-machines. We’ve chosen our favourites below.

1. Bike Parking = Superior Efficiency

Ten bicycles can easily fit within a single parking spot, and many cities have started to take advantage of this fact with specially-sized bike racks. Buenos Aires installed a few car-shaped racksin parking spots throughout the city, an idea that caught the attention of Washington DC’s transit authority, and San Francisco’s 40th street parklet (seen top) was created by adjacent business Manifesto & Subrosa. They’re also occasionally unsanctioned, with citizens taking it upon themselves to occupy a spot with bikes for a day.

2. Parklet Cafes

Sidewalk cafes can gain a lot more outdoor dining real estate when they take over adjacent parking spots, and many cities are starting programs that allow them to do just that. It’s hard to argue that half a dozen cafe tables are more valuable to a restaurant owner than a pair of parked cars, and this usage – seen here in San Franciscoand Philadelphia – gives the sidewalks a European pedestrian culture sort of feel.

3. Sao Paulo’s Permanent Parklets

The city of Sao Paulo, Brazil has some of the world’s prettiest and most colorful parklets, which are parking spots transformed into mini public parks. While many parklets are temporary, this one is permanent, with the spot fully paved and heavy-duty urban furniture in a bright shade of red.

4. Noriega Street Parklet, San Francisco

Diagonal wooden benches with built-in greenery take up three parking spots in San Francisco in this design by Matarozzi Pelsinger Design + Build. The seating was designed around the awkward shape of the available space, and the rule that it had to be at least three feet away from adjacent parking spots. Says the firm, “The acute corners are embraced as areas for planting and “chaise lounge” seating, where tight plan geometry becomes an excuse to put your feet up.”

5. Transportable Garden on a Trailer

Any parking spot in urban Mexico can be turned into a park and just as quickly reverted to its original purpose with this parklet on wheels by the More Spaces Foundation. Designed by DAS Arquitectura, the portable parklet is built on a trailer and features benches and planter boxes.

See the other urban parking spot ideas at weburbanist.com