Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World

“Whoever said life was about the journey and not the destination never had to look for a place to park,” journalist Grabar writes in this distinctive debut, where he expounds on the United States’ parking puzzle, be it the impact on the environment and affordable housing or the bloody ice-cream truck rivalry that necessitated a New York City sting operation. Though parking spots have proven to be in oversupply time and again, many metropolises continue to sacrifice bus and bike lanes and better communities in the name of more spots. From keeping cattle off ancient Roman roads, to the pandemic that turned parking lots into outdoor eating areas, there has never been a time when parking wasn’t a problem. Narrator Rob Shapiro presents this provocative analysis in a manner that is conversational and comprehensible. His casual, congenial tone turns the in-depth research and rich details into an approachable and entertaining listening experience.