Looking at the public realm in areas like Valentine and throughout Kansas City, parking lots have become one of the most dominant features of the urban landscape. Kansas City has long been shaped as a car-oriented city, where people depend on vehicles to move from one destination to another. Because of this, many developments are required to provide large amounts of parking regardless of the actual activity or community need. In Valentine, there is a noticeable balance between green open space and paved parking areas, showing how much land is dedicated to storing cars rather than creating spaces for people. While areas like Westport and the Country Club Plaza use parking garages more frequently, much of the surrounding area still relies heavily on surface parking lots. Along streets such as 33rd Street to Knickerbocker Place, several companies control large blocks of parking, including some of the largest lots owned by Kansas City Life Insurance Company.
Urban theorists such as Jeff Speck and William H. Whyte discuss the importance of the public realm and how cities function when spaces are designed primarily around people instead of automobiles. A successful urban environment is not just about providing parking; it is about creating a mix of uses, walkability, social interaction, and memorable public spaces that give people a reason to return.
Cars remain necessary in many parts of Kansas City, especially in suburban areas like Parkville, where developments are designed differently because of location and lower density. However, the overall objective remains the same: creating environments where people feel comfortable gathering, walking, relaxing, and spending time outdoors. Parking lots do serve a purpose, but they also represent opportunities. These large paved spaces could incorporate green infrastructure, public gathering areas, recreational uses, temporary markets, or safer pedestrian connections that accommodate not only the people who drive cars, but also the people who do not. The goal is not necessarily to eliminate parking, but to rethink how these spaces can contribute more to the community and create a healthier, more connected public realm
