ITDP has been working to reform parking policies worldwide for over a decade as a way to shift cities toward sustainable transport. In July 2017, Mexico City Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera announced changes in the construction code that would curtail the development of further off-street parking development. The new norm changes minimum parking requirements to maximums and puts Mexico City, the largest city in North America, far ahead of other cities in its commitment to prioritizing people over cars.

As cities grow, street space and real estate are becoming ever more valuable. However, outdated land use regulations still require developers to build huge amounts of parking for residential and commercial buildings, regardless of factors such as car ownership, proximity to transit, and market demand. This led to a  host of negative consequences, including incentivizing driving, generated unwanted congestion, and reducing the space available for more important purposes, such as housing, transit, and public space.

ITDP Mexico has been at the forefront of advocating for rational changes to parking regulations. Through a cooperation with the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing (SEDUVI), the ITDP Mexico team developed the seminal report Less Parking, More City that compiled strong evidence for changing construction  regulations. More than 40% of new developments in the city center was being allocated for off-street parking rather than other desirable uses. This stark preference in the codes for parking was counter to the aim of creating a more inclusive and equitable city, leading the Mayor to change course.