I feel you there - I moved to Europe from the US (though to a car-dependent place - Ireland, sadly). What happens is: * People in houses buy cars * They park

I feel you there - I moved to Europe from the US (though to a car-dependent place - Ireland, sadly). What happens is: * People in houses buy cars * They park on the street (they have to) * New houses get built * Those new houses' residents also park on the street * The street fills up * Residents pass a law requiring all new construction to come with off-street parking The idea is to preserve taxpayer-funded parking welfare at the cost of everyone to help car owners store their vehicles for free. Often you see paid street parking but with free (or virtually free) annual permits for people who live on the street. It pushes buildings apart, makes less pleasant neighbourhoods, reduces walkability, is more dangerous, etc. but it's what we've got becauase we haven't figured out how to transition from "suburbia" to "dense mixed use" without angering the existing residents, who vote. I mean, you'd think "well we all get a spot I might as well use it how I please so I'll ride a bike and plant a garden in my street spot" but no, apparently that's not allowed for some reason.