For those who dream of a downtown residency without the associated cost of convenience, designer Michael Rakowitz has the solution. By focusing on the purpose of public space, he developed P(Lot), which enables the rental of municipal parking spaces for alternative living. In this regard, anyone can put some change in the meter and lease their own temporary car shaped encampment. His car cover canvasses are currently offered in the shape of a sedan, Porsche, and a motorcycle.

In case camping isn't your thing, the Rebar Group have come up with another ingenious way to use municipal parking spaces. Their PARK(ing) initiative transforms parking spaces into strips of greenspace, complete with grass, a tree, and a bench. Passerby's are encouraged to feed the meter and enjoy this green refuge, while watching drivers search for an empty spot.