With the rise of the on-demand economy, the need for parking lots and garages to be a space for nothing more than storing vehicles is beginning to wane. But instead of trying to phase parking lots and garages out completely, REEF Technology, the largest parking network in North America, has unveiled plans to adapt these spaces into tech-forward, urban mobility hubs to deliver on-demand goods and services.
The company, which is supported by SoftBank Vision Fund and Mubadala Investment Company, plans to leverage the high-density, high-activity location of its parking lots and parking structures to create a robust ecosystem to connect people to the goods and services they want.
See Also: Earthquake response system takes the guesswork out of seismic safety
A key component of these logistics hubs is the last-block, delivery-only REEF Kitchens. Restaurants can partner with REEF Kitchens to open and expand their businesses while also providing more food options and faster delivery at a lower cost to customers. The centralized location of the REEF hubs will help extend the reach of restaurants without burdening the restaurants’ main kitchen. Additionally, REEF has partnered with delivery services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, and Grubhub, with couriers on site so deliveries will reach customers more quickly and fresher than before.
A key component of REEF’s urban mobility hub is REEF Kitchens, delivery-only kitchens that can be leased by local restaurants to expand their reach. The hubs will offer a variety of services. REEF Technology.
The kitchens are housed in proprietary containers capable of accommodating one to five restaurant brands or concepts. Restaurants can run operations directly on contract with REEF to stage and prepare delivery-only menu items. REEF Kitchens have successfully launched in Miami and London, with plans to open several hundred more in North America and the U.K.
REEF has also partnered with electric bike and scooter rental companies, on-demand aviation businesses, and peer-to-peer car rentals. Rideshare car buffering zones, where drivers can access services like car detailing and maintenance, will exist within the hub.
REEF claims that its urban mobility hub concept will future-proof its parking structures, while also addressing many of the major obstacles all cities face: congestion, pollution, high costs for businesses to expand, and residents’ growing desire for their goods and services to be delivered quickly.
Not bad for something that, in the past, was just a flat piece of asphalt or concrete for housing vehicles.
Related Stories
Great Solutions | Aug 23, 2016
11 great solutions for the commercial construction market
A roll-up emergency department, next-gen telemedicine center, and biophilic cooling pods are among the AEC industry’s clever ideas and novel innovations for 2016.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
13 great solutions for commercial construction
As these 13 innovations for the AEC marketplace demonstrate, sometimes a problem can be a good thing.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
Digitally fabricated concrete formwork pushes the limits of what can be cost-effectively constructed in concrete
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger and CW Keller use 3D modeling and CNC machining to advance concrete construction.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
Sasaki Associates develops simple yet novel solution for precast concrete complication
Its double-angle cladding anchor maintains the air/water/vapor barrier integrity and continuous insulation while still allowing for the desired versatility of precast panels.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
Porcelanosa’s solid-surface product, Krion, used to create an elegant retractable ceiling for NY showroom
Typically used for countertops, vanities, and furniture, Krion was used to make 39 panels covering 1,300 sf of ceiling space above the showroom.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
Skanska’s new app helps construction teams monitor and meet environmental quality standards while renovating hospitals
App allows users to track noise, differential pressure levels, vibration, and dust
Great Solutions | Jan 19, 2016
Concrete innovation: voided biaxial slab slashes weight, saves concrete
System reduces slab dead load by 30% on medical clinic project
Great Solutions | Jan 19, 2016
Healing garden doubles as therapy trails
A Boston-area hospital takes the healing garden to the next level.
Great Solutions | Jan 14, 2016
WWII watchtower turned into ‘land yacht’
Architect Siemasko + Verbridge and contractor Windover Construction transformed a coastal wartime observation post into an amenity-filled guesthouse.
Great Solutions | Jan 12, 2016
Sprinkler system does double duty
Two innovations tap into the multi-use potential for fire/life safety infrastructure.