This paper discusses the various issues which influence the design of parking areas, which represents one of the many subjects and fields of application of landscape design. However, unfortunately, this holistic approach still does not represent a common practice: in most cases, parking areas are designed merely from a functional point of view, thus losing the opportunity and the social and environmental challenge to integrate these infrastructures within broader landscape projects. In particular, the work focuses on parking areas located in periurban and rural areas, where the need for their sound integration in the surrounding landscapes proves even more urgent, with reference to an ever increasing number and variety of design opportunities: mobility infrastructures, airports, shopping centres, industrial districts, nature reserves, cultural and amusement parks. Nowadays we have become familiar with these places and design themes; nevertheless, ad hoc research is still needed to develop