I'm not saying it's the right solution (I'm in favor of dynamic pricing of parking - google "Donald Shoup" for more info). But I got a degree in Urban Planning

I'm not saying it's the right solution (I'm in favor of dynamic pricing of parking - google "Donald Shoup" for more info). But I got a degree in Urban Planning and that's what I learned was the rationale for municipal minimum parking requirements. Keep in mind, the US had 200 million fewer people in 1945. More of America has been built since WWII than existed during it.