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Parking Spot Thief Challenge

Often in large parking structures in major cities around the world there appears the same problem. The problem you ask? Yes the problem is that a person pays a monthly fee for a particular reserved parking spot and someone else parks in it causing the fee payer to have to find another spot in a not so convenient location.

How might you solve this challenge if it were you with the spot or if you were a creative thinking consultant who was hired to solve the problem?

The following are a mixture of solutions recommended by people from several countries over a two week period.

Robert Alan Black, Ph.D. (Athens, Georgia USA)

Make a big sign with Yosemite Sam on it holding a gun pointing right at the viewer saying "Listen partner I paid for this spot. Don't think about parking here."

Put up a chain or some other type of barrier to keep intruders out

Write do the license plate and broadcast it through the Bell System's internal communication system that the car is on fire and then wait for them to show up.

USA

I think a note on the windshield might be sufficient:

My son pays $124. a month for this parking space. I'm sure you didn't realize that this is his reserved spot. Could you please refrain from parking here in the future? Sincerely, John Gotti

England

Paint a the parking spot "owners" name in large letters on the wall or pavement.

Install a small surveillance camera, get the license #(s) and use some ingenuity to get the car owners names. Have the building manager send them a letter asking them to stop using the space or they will be billed.

Using the above camera, locate the people through visual recognition and ask the to stop using the space in person.

Install a collapsible barricade.

England

Carry a saw horse in the car with police tape on it that says "crime scene" or other some such official looking/sounding words and place in the parking place when the owner of the space is not using it.

leave trash--garbage--maniquin parts to simulate body parts, or other unattractive litter in the space when the owner of the space is not using it.

Pour honey, or other very sticky substance in the space directly underneath where the driver would emerge from their car. (Be sure to carry cardboard or some other barrier-type material in your car so that you won't suffer the same fate.)

A colleage in the office just suggested that he get a letter drafted from an attorney and leave it on the car of the "jerk/jerkette" threatening legal action should the car return to the spot.

USA

Remove all four valve cores from the valve stems.

Spray hi=volume hardening foam in through a window to fill the interior.

Purchase a skunk's scent gland from a veterinarian and wrap gland around exhaust manifold.

Find the Parking Structures' managers car and have it placed in the reserved parking place and watch how long it takes him/her to get the car out. All the while filming the removal of the car for showing on a local TV channel. Whith much publicity hype of course.

Turkey

I have observed here (in Turkey) that erecting the windshield wipers works!

It feels like a warning; it makes the driver somehow think that next time he uses the same place, he will be recognized and something real bad (like meeting a broken wiper or half-flat tires) may happen!

NZ

My $0.02 worth... I don't know about "truly logical", but this approach is methodical.

Let's start with a possible viewpoint of an offending driver.

1) I want to drive my car somewhere without suffering emotional trauma.

If (1) then: 2) I must avoid spending hours getting frustrated/ stressed looking for a park.

If (2) then: 3) I park in someone else's designated parking spot. On the other hand...

If (1) then: 4) I must avoid getting towed, ticketed, abused, trashed, etc...

If (4) then: 5) I don't park in someone else's designated parking spot.

I face a paradox, which logic says can't exist in reality. So I must have a flaw in my thinking. Let's look at some of my assumptions.

(A) I'm assuming that there is nowhere else to park except someone else's designated parking spot. (B) I'm assuming that I will get caught if I park where I shouldn't.

Hmmmm. Let's challenge (B) first. I will only get caught if the owner of the space wants to park there at the same time as I'm there. If I knew when the owner was due back, I could avoid getting caught by leaving before he arrives. Suggestion: Owner has sign advising when he is due back.

Now let's look at (A). There probably is somewhere else to park, but I am a visitor and don't know where to look. Suggestion: Owner has sign advising where free parking is likely to be found. Come to think of it, the sign could be a lie, and still solve the owner's problem (in the short term, anyway).

In both cases, a carefully worded sign could make me feel that the owner is doing me a favour. I would be less likely to annoy a friend by stealing his park.

Das asked: "What is to be learned from this exercise?"

Logic is very good at clarifying problems, but is only as good as the assumptions it rests on - hence the need for some alternative thinking.

Howzat?

USA

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1) I want to drive my car somewhere without suffering emotional trauma. If (1) then: 2) I must avoid spending hours getting frustrated/ stressed looking for a park. If (2) then: 3) I park in someone else's designated parking spot. On the other hand... If (1) then: 4) I must avoid getting towed, ticketed, abused, trashed, etc... If (4) then: 5) I don't park in someone else's designated parking spot.

I face a paradox, which logic says can't exist in reality. So I must have a flaw in my thinking. Let's look at some of my assumptions.

(A) I'm assuming that there is nowhere else to park except someone else's designated parking spot. (B) I'm assuming that I will get caught if I park where I shouldn't.

Hmmmm. Let's challenge (B) first. I will only get caught if the owner of the space wants to park there at the same time as I'm there. If I knew when the owner was due back, I could avoid getting caught by leaving before he arrives. Suggestion: Owner has sign advising when he is due back.

Now let's look at (A). There probably is somewhere else to park, but I am a visitor and don't know where to look. Suggestion: Owner has sign advising where free parking is likely to be found. Come to think of it, the sign could be a lie, and still solve the owner's problem (in the short term, anyway).

In both cases, a carefully worded sign could make me feel that the owner is doing me a favour. I would be less likely to annoy a friend by stealing his park.

Das asked: "What is to be learned from this exercise?" Logic is very good at clarifying problems, but is only as good as the assumptions it rests on - hence the need for some alternative thinking. Howzat? kind regards

Ahh ! now we are getting some where, John !

This line of thought makes us consider defining the problem in more precise terms. Let us see..... it is time to get serious about a good solution, folks !

The question then can be: How can the owner park his/ her car without having another car occupying the same space and time ?

Answers fall into three categories:

1) Sharing is possible since the designated access / timing is known - The owner enters limited time available in a meter - The borrower will access that time by paying the meter - No entry is possible without paying - At expiration, alarm goes off to warn owner / security / both - Revenue can help pay the owner's lease/ rent

2) Sharing is not possible since the owner needs the space at random - The owner has to leave a "no entry" system behind as he/ she leaves (We have a whole list of ideas on this) - List all concepts, prioritize and select the best candidate

3) The owner uses the space all the time - No problem since nothing can occupy the same space

It seems #2 applies in this case (Please refer to the original question)

The next step then is to consider the most applicable solution. This means we have to look into existing conditions of the case in question. Here we get into constraints. Humans wants are many but the means to satisfy them are limited, says the economic equation of the marketplace.

The best solution will have to be judged on its feasibility first. This includes funding, time and, availability of certain products, systems and human help. If we go through this process, we will soon realize the nature of constraints and the difficulty in getting things accomplished. Unfortunately most creativity schools of thought conveniently ignore this most important part. So let us give it a try and produce a real workable solution that can be accomplished in the next two months (another constraint).

All hats are soon replaced by the construction hat ! Ha Ha ! : )

NZ

(1) Is this problem exclusive to your friend or common to all official parkers? (2) If common, can we have a redefinition of the problem? Like how many parking spots in the building, how many have this problem and a floor plan. (3) If common, has there been a tenant's meeting? (4) Is there a place to put a parking control arm at the building's entrance?

NZ

Friends, Did anyone think to put a somewhat polite message on the owners window screen.......I did this recently to someone at the bottom of my drive - I have to back down & then onto a moderately busy road with many parked cars - this particular car was modern, biggish & had a towbar knob......so I left him/her a note asking......Please Car Driver, I don't think this was the best place for you to park your car today - I had difficulty getting out of the driveway because your towbar knob - gave me less room.....thankyou. When I returned the offending car was gone - the next day I saw it was parked on the other side of the road :) Cathy

Netherlands

In hangars, you have to be careful with your tires because of the hydraulic fluids used in planes that sometimes spill on the floor. Buy yourself a set of special tires and poor some of this fluid on the floor leaving the other with 'a bad adherence'.

'Bad adherence' makes me think of: can I make this person become less attractive socially, eg. through smell. One might put something in the exaust pipe every time he parks his car there, making him being stopped by the police.

Ah, every time, brake a trail light, or put some facist or other disgusting stikker on his hood (eg. "I don't brake for children", or "Cups are a bunch of ....", whatever)

Send the person an invoice for every time he or she parks there - maybe looking like a parking ticket ?

Another approach: get a second parking spot and 'sell' this place to this other person (of course with a profit)

Help this person in solving his parking problem, eg. start car pooling together.

Coordinate your work scheme in such a way that you just switch places, when you leave, the other arrives and vice-versa.

USA

THANKS FOR THE COURAGE TO LOOK SO NAIVE AND CUT TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER.<<

I'm blushing! Especially since I feel unworthy of the praise. I had the same angry reaction you and others had and simply paused a moment to wonder why.

On the other hand, I'll take praise anywhere and any way it's given to me. Your posting goes into my "positive strokes" file as antidote for the times when I feel dumb and inferior. Thank you. You've made my day..perhaps my week!

P.S. Gives me an idea/direction: Maybe there's a way to use praise in changing the behavior of the parking space thief. Honey vs vinegar....

USA

Here is a truly logical approach:

What is the problem? - People are using my designated parking space

What are the causes of this problem? - (A) People don't pay attention - (B) People take a chance / in a hurry - (C) People are nasty - (D) Some can't read (Ignorance or language)

What are the possible solutions? - (A) Increase people's attention span - (B) Show people that taking a chance can be dangerous - (C) Work on changing attitudes - (D) Education

What is the emerging root solution ? - Educating the public

Proposal to the client with the parking problem: Start an educational institution for improving language, cognition and attitudes.

Wow ! Did I do good or what ?

What is to be learned from this exercise ?

USA

In my last message I wrote:

<

and Alan wrote in part:

<

Well here is the punch line:

The client kicks the consultant out (ofcourse, with a whack on his head!!@#**??). It jolts the "structure" of structured thinking mechanism. Now that he is "loose", he discovers a multitude of creative solutions.

Happy ending !

USA

Possibly a nice note saying:

Thank you for the gift of this nice car. Could you please leave the keys so I don't have to hire a locksmith to get me into my new car so I can drive it away?

USA

A clear contract has been established here. A "guaranteed" parking space is paid for but not received. Put the building management on written notice to this effect.

The building management company may in fact be a different organization then the building owner. The management company is not properly taking care of the facilities if this is happening on a regular basis and not corrected.

Put a sign at his parking spot that offending vehicles will be immobilized with a "Boot."

Then place a "Boot" on a tire so that the offending vehicle can not be moved. Leave no information on how to locate the owner of the parking spot to remove the "Boot." At some point in time the building management will be contacted about the situation and they will then most likely contact your friend. Of course your friend could be unavailable for several days time.

He can then advise the building management again on their lack of management capability and not providing him with what is called for in their contract.

Continue until situation is corrected.

USA

1. Find one of those "Warning, Severe Tire Damage" signs

2. Have the police do a search on the license plate... then send "jerk" or "jerkette" a bill each month for usage.

3. Leave a note saying "Thanks alot... my 6 year old daughter with polio was forced to walk down 7 flights of stairs."

USA

Do you really want an answer or are you probing the dark side of creativity?

Before re-acting consider management as the jerk, or, at least, as jerk enablers; inadvertent, business friend or not. While they are avoiding responsibility, why not park anywhere. Ask management what they would do if you double parked behind subject vehicle.

USA

Let's test our creative juices and see how many ideas we might collectively generate in the next few days.

A note under the wiper that says:

You parked your car in the spot that I'm paying for. While i didn't put any sugar in your gas tank this time, I may not be as nice if you EVER park here again.

attached to the note are a couple of those little sugars that they give away in restaurants.

USA

Park in the space reserved for the management of the parking structure or building owners. Then your friend calls the management office and mentions that he will continue parking there until something is done about his "space".

One of my co-workers tried this technique. He had his space cleared in approx. 15 min. Then the co-worker moved his car from the management's space and parked in his assigned space.

USA

A friend of mine pays $124 a month for a reserved parking spot in his high-rise office building's parking garage. The building belongs to a major corporation (name not to be released at this time).

2 or 3 times a week some "jerk" or "jerkette" parks in his spot

The management of the parking structure claims they can not tow cars out, physically not possible.

Snip..

Find out if it really CAN be towed! Let the air out of ALL four tires (without damaging the tires). Just let the air out if the valve stems. At minimum, maybe they will get the message not to park there. Especially if it happens 2 or 3 times a week.

USA

Assuming the friend pays his $124 for a specific spot, and that there is a written agreement, the friend has a valid lease for this spot of real estate.

Court possibilities are several: Trespassing (criminal trespassing is a possibility), injunction to prevent loss of "quiet enjoyment" (a property law term meaning you get to use your land for your purposes, absent encroachment from anyone else, including the landlord; benefit: large monetary fines for violating the injunction), charging a valid fee for the use (what would a valid fee be? Whatever it costs for the friend to get as easy access to his office -- taxi fares, parking fees for the choice spot for the car, etc.).

It's clear that your friend doesn't want to unduly irritate his client, the building owner, and that closes off some postential solutions. Landlord's failure to act to protect the parking right is probably a violation of the underlying lease; if you friend were handicapped in any way, it might be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

I suggest a nice note, to be followed up with meaner notes -- probably should seek some advice from a lawyer to make sure no threats are made.

But if it doesn't stop, then there is a land possessor's right to self help.

Deflate all four tires on the offending car, and demand the parking garage attendant notify you when the offender calls for AAA (or whoever would inflate the tires). In the garage where I park, attendants have a long hose and a 55-gallon barrel. If a car is parked illegally, they roll the empty-and- therefore-light barrell immediately in back of the car, and then they fill it with water. If the offender shows up and makes things right, they pull the plug on the barrel and let 55 gallons of water drain out, then roll it away.

I know of more than a few large office leases in Dallas that were broken when the building management failed to protect reserved parking spaces. Parking spaces are serious business here. The cavalier attitude of the parking garage management puzzles me.

Australia

Ten simple Retaliations:

(a) Park behind the car park thief to impede his exit. (b) Put some stones inside his hubcaps, so they rattle. (c) Draw some personalised "THIEF" signs, and tape them over his plates. (d) Earth his car to a nearby metal fixture. This flattens batteries. (e) Remove his hubcaps all together, placing them under his car (f) Deflate all his tyres (g) Insert a standard large potato / orange in his exhaust. (h) Wet the ground outside his driver's side door, so he steps in it (i) Park so close to his driver's side he cannot get into his vehicle (j) Wire his bumper to a fixture on the wall of the car park. NB. 101 new uses for a tyre lever have been deleted on legal advice.

USA

2 or 3 times a week some "jerk" or "jerkette" parks in his spot...

You didn't actually say it was always the same person taking the space...It sounded to me like more than one "jerk/jerkette" if it's a chronic problem. So if it's not the same car all the time, nasty notes will be a waste of his time.

1. Your friend could leave an orange cone in front of his space. Pain in the butt to move all the time, but it looks like the offenders are in search of the *easiest* parking space, so it might help.

2. Even if management can't tow, they COULD "boot" the car (device that locks onto one wheel, preventing movement of the car until it's unlocked and removed) and they could charge a fine (which could be high enough to cover the expense of the employee to do this job).

Netherlands

At 16:01 17-7-98 -0600, you wrote: A friend of mine pays $124 a month for a reserved parking spot in his high-rise office building's parking garage. The building belongs to a major corporation (name not to be released at this time). 2 or 3 times a week some "jerk" or "jerkette" parks in his spot

In Holland there are private parking spots that have something with a lock (a small gate ...) so only the owner of the key can use the spot.

Denmark

I would ask me especially the following questions:

# 2 or 3 times a week "somebody" parks in his spot # exercise of thinking # 1 other/alternative parking spots 2 parking spot is filled (before the unknown user comes) 3 parking spot seems to be unusable 4 why does the unknown user parked on this place ? 5 why does the unknown user will never parker there ? (What's can be changed ?) 6 variants of unpleasant neighbours on the box: 7 kind of negotiation with the owner of the park building 8 the unknown can park, but no drive away, variants: 9 there parking every time also a lot of other people 10 speaking with the unknown 11 "tow cars out is impossible" ?

Any of this questions create new details/directions for new questions and must not be used. Do you want now to read the few answers or will you create your own answers to the questions above ?

Here are samples of answers / hints / new start ideas:

other/alternative parking spots parking space of the unknown: where parked he some weeks ago ? using parking space from the owner of the building

parking spot is filled (before the unknown user comes) start earlier in the morning to help one of the workmates

parking spot seems to be unusable there stands now the dustbin some days there is a scaffolding parking bicykle on that place

why does the unknown user parked on this place ? one of the few empty places, its near to the exit he knows the tenant (correct user) and will provoke them he reads the posters near this place (advertising pillar) he waits there regular of friends can we ask him (who can ?) ? the place has good lighting and he reads every morning the paper

why does the unknown user will never park there ? (What's can be changed ?) a poster: this place will be financed for poor man prints of a walking cat on the car now he meets somebody near another parking box he want to show that he can afford an expensive place

variants of unpleasant neighbours on the box: besides the car lies a screwdriver and typical tool for break in muddy jeep-car ofter standing besides two boxes besides it seems (!) the mirror was stolen

kind of negotiation with the owner of the park building get another box get the charge for other parking ten minutes before next visit of the client put up one of his posters with advertising for hot dogs in a little part of this poster (if he take a joke, a comparison with unknown parking)

the unknown can park, but no drive away, variants: wire rope and lock on the car narrow to open the door from the car

there parking every time also a lot of other people allows an owner of a shop near this place to use this box until eight o clock every morning the tenant itself uses several times a hire car

speaking with the unknown if you use this place, can I also get the key for the car ? will you share the place with me on odd days ?

"tow cars out is impossible" ? ask the breakdown service with telephone

the box numbers around +/- five numbers are shifted by one put up poster over the car: this car to be sell

Netherlands

The car parking reminds me of the modern cowshed in The Netherlands. Milking cows are now 'computerised' with a chip in a leather necklace. The chip is unique for each cow. If the cow likes to eat in the stable, she puts her head in the automatic feeder. The exact portion of food for her is released (indicated and transferred by the chip). There will only be food released when the cow is recognised by the food computer if she should be eating and hungry. If the cow tries to get food a second time, the computer refuses to release food. The daily quantity of food is in optimal balance with her also computer- registered milk production and -quality. The whole feeding systen in the cowshed (where cows are free to walk) has introduced some nice social behaviour to observe.

Why this story? If cars are fitted with a chip (maybe instead of the numberplate) better control is possible. If an unauthorized car is parked at a specific place, automatically an amount of money is distrected from the bank account of the owner. This amount could be the year's rent. Such a system will work. Another way is that some barrier in front of the parking place will not be removed when an unauthorized ('chipped') car tries to enter.

USA

1. Quite paying the fee and park somewhere else. 2. Contact the owner of the cars parked in his/her space pointing out that they are parking in a reserved space (he may add, "...and their car may be towed if it continues.) 3. Take an ice pick to their tires (except that that creates some awfully ugly karma that will have to be worked out!)

This is just for openers.

USA

Ideas/Springboards:

Wish I were sure the space usurpers knew it was not an open space (is it marked?)

Wish "proper" owner could wait for usurper and express condolences for whatever made him/her take over a paid-for space

Owner of space pays for a barrier (get landlord to pay?) which he can open with a key or code.

How to pay a homeless person/student/other to sit by the space and explain to anyone using the space (other than owner) that this space is taken already. They then could helpfully tell the individual where an open space is.

Have the attendant charge extra for anyone who used a wrong space

Leave a note offering to split the monthly fee with the usurper

Thought: I noticed how quickly the ideas from the list became punishing. This surprised me. Is it because there's a perception of someone being right and another being wrong?

USA

1. Train pigeons, skunks, or dogs to only "attack" cars with bad guy's license plate. 2. Add lines to the parking spots so that only very skinny cars can park there (if applicable). 3. Add a phony parking meter. 4. Do something so that parking spot becomes unappealing. For example, plant a cherry blossom tree so that it sheds all over any car parked there. Or, repaint or repave the walkway and signs so that parking there becomes the "long way" into the building.

USA

I may have missed it, but has anyone suggested waiting for the offender and simply talking to him/her? A lot of the solutions so far are indeed sort of assumptive and punitive. Even if the person is a jerk, a jerk can be made to be more mindful of their jerkiness and, sometimes, behaviour can be modified.

The problem may be the result of a simple mis-understanding re: the rules of the lot. We really don't know why they are doing what they are doing.

If I had a chance to speak with the offender I would approach the conversation in this manner. I would introduce myself and be as cheerful as possible, perhaps present my biz card that would establish me as a building tennant. I would then ask for their help with something. Then, I would ask "dumb" questions. Casually, not Dragnet style: Do you work here? How do the lot rules work? Did you know that this was a reserved spot? If it turns out the person is under a misunderstanding, I would explain, forgive, and thank them. If they are indeed jerk/jerkette types, (they get it but are ignoring it) I would simply thank them for their future cooperation on the matter, and be on my way, hoping for the best.

USA

I am writing to give you a quick perspective on the parking issue being discussed on the list. I have been in a similar circumstance several times during the last year. I tried several methods and have met with varying degrees of success. What makes me laugh about the situation is the response I received when I called the management office. (Typically I don't call them, I just handle the problem in whatever I think is the best manner at the time.) The owner listened and empathized, but I knew he wasn't going to do anything. All of a sudden I smiled. The parking issue, which had been a source of aggravation to me, wasn't on anyone else's radar screen. It was blown out of proportion in my mind. I gave it free space in my head - and for what? What finally changed was my attitude. Management won't change, and the people parking in the space often don't have a better option. None of the offenders I spoke with ever meant to inconvenience me, they either parked there in error or were desparate for a place to park. Once I became aware of the other people's perspectives I realized this will happen on occasion. I can't prevent it. What I can do is try another lot or take public transportation or I suppose I could move or ride my bike or find a new job, etc. Point being the only change I will see is in terms of my reaction.

USA

Hey, playing is what it's all about. Going the opposite direction. Maybe we should get a really cool fruit basket and put it on a pedestal next to the parking slot. A gift for the offender. Induce guilt.

Or...how about playing a recording of a brass band to the person who pulls in -- playing something like John Phillips Sousa, very loud.

Ghee whiz! Just ask the jerk or jerkette.

All kidding aside that may very well be all that is needed.

Except in my friend's busy day waiting around for hours or using up hours of time coming down from the 18th floor to check to see if the car is still there and then waiting could be very time consuming.

My purpose was to challenge the wide-range of creativeness represented by the members of the various lists I sent the challenge to initially on Friday and then again as this week's Creativity Challenge.

Out of the 74 ideas so far the majority are punishing, a coupld are straight-forward and one, yours doesn't see it as a problem but more as a misunderstanding.

USA

1) Let a homeless person live there 2) A remotely activated "A-frame" pops up from a structure that the car rides over (clears). 3) Drive over a self locking device that only the owner can unlock. 4) Wrong car activates flashing lights, camera, life threatening warnings, loud music and nasty commercials 5) Warning says "The mob boss parks here" 6) Wrong car triggers alarm and calls wrecker service. 7) Real parking meter to collect money ? 8) Warning about high voltage electronic disabling system 9) Install a dummy camera 10) Install a real camera and monitor it from the office 11) Carry collapsing traffic cones in the luggage compartment. Place it when you leave. 12) Friction- less rollers at the entry keeps the front wheels running. Owner locks them to go in and out.

USA

Lots of good and interesting ideas on this challenge.

I have a real situation from several years back. Our office had a private parking lot that was only two blocks away from the main university campus. Cheap parking spots were tough to find. If you could get away with it, ours was free - no attendant, no meters, no gate. It was a real nuisance dealing with those daring parkers who invaded our lot. We had no tigers at the gate. Even though the parking lot owner painted a sign that said "unauthorized vehicles will be towed at (vehicle) owner expense" the lot owners wouldn't actually tow because: 1. they didn't really care because they got paid for the space anyway, and 2. they said they didn't want to get sued for damage to a towed vehicle.

One thing we did try, with the lot owners help, that at least got the habitual problem parkers to go away was pasting a sticker on their car window that said something to the effect that "they" were unauthorized parkers in a private parking lot. The tone was nasty as I recall. Wording the sticker message could be fun if this approach were to be tried. The stickers were about postcard size, or slightly larger, and had a substance that made them very hard to remove. They were placed on the driver side window. I'm sure the problem never would have been solved as our lot was in the open and quite visible to drivers, and especially university students desperate for a parking space and late for class. We moved to another location and no longer have our own parking lot.

Another message that gets my attention is one that says "Unless you are so-and-so, don't even _think_ about parking here (somewhat on the order of 'the mob boss parks here')."

USA

"The spaces are clearly marked: a. specific tenant name b. visitor c. reserved d. open"

i'd try this: i'd paint the wall of the space by each car with a description of the car the space owner drives. i.e.

i think a 'match up' sign would help keep the spaces more available to the people who paid for them. i would like it if the borders of these signs could be painted with interesting patterns.

a. invite spray paint artists to do individual spaces .. provide the paint b. invite someone to paint the borders ( the landlord might want to invite artists from local schools .. ) c. or hire a person to stencil a plain colored border

.. then have a media event gallery opening. (get big points for your business' support of the arts) have it in the parking lot (of course no parking in it at the party .. need to see the art and have room for the food tables.

the borders would be the fun part but it would be most important to have a physical description of the car as the prominate feature. the goal is to have the non-renter realize their car does not match the description on the 'in your face' (nicely) sign on the space.

Netherlands

Over 100 ideas have been put forward in only a couple of days. I guess that most ideas has cam up in the various minds 'intuatively', without much structured creativity. I will try to give some clues for structured creativity (step 6 of 'meandering': consider underlying causes and principles). This technique is simmilar to the conept fan of Edward de Bono (explained in several books of him). He gives the example of "How to deal with a shortage of drinking water". In our car parking challenge, we have the problem: "How to deal with a shortage of parking lots". In fact, very simmilar concepts can be formulated:

lack of enough parking lots reduce demand increase supply do it without regulation (number of potential cars) (parking lots) educating punishment e.g. car pooling users go by bike e.g. timetable stimulate use of create other other lots lots

I hope the above scheme will do. It is not complete, many branches can be added, and finally an enormous amount of ideas could be generated at each end of a branch.

My impression is that most of the proposed ideas to Alan's challenge are found in 'punishment' and 'education'. Maybe Alan could sort the ideas, according to this scheme.




© 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 Robert Alan Black, Ph.D. CSP