In many of the world’s big cities, parking and housing are in high demand and short supply. ZEDfactory proposes to alleviate that with their latest venture: ZEDPods. These pods are small housing units that sit above two parking spaces. The parking spaces are still usable and the dead space above is turned into a house/apartment.
The ZEDpods are assembled in a few days and create the opportunity for parking facility owners to offer affordable housing in central areas of the city. Although two parking spaces might feel like a very small space to live, the pods are designed to be spacious and there is an option to add outdoor living areas. The pods are also equipped with solar panels cutting down electricity costs for the house and/or an ev-charging station.
At a glance, ZEDpods are a very reasonable idea for the shortage of affordable housing in large cities. ZEDpods could provide affordable housing for students and municipal key workers. The ZEDfactory website states “If local authorities made the air rights above their own council owned car parks – each home can be installed and maintained by the ZEDpod company at zero cost to the local authority, and rented out to council nominated key workers at around £650,00 / month inclusive of energy bills and maintenance providing a long lease is agreed. Pods can be relocated easily if car park owners wish – providing a new site is found and movement costs are met.” So far, only one ZEDPod is in use in Watford, England.
Will this be the next trend in municipal parking?
Photograph found on ZEDpod website.
