In the interwar era the automobile was a sign of social prestige and a modern, active lifestyle; consequently, the associated services were provided in an elegant, competitive, business-like manner. But the post-war shortage in automobiles and the change in political system, which put an emphasis on quantity (over quality), ushered in an altogether different architectural philosophy, based on a rational approach and making maximum use of standardisation. Despite the theorists who long highlighted the shortage of sheltered parking spaces and criticised the open car parks that had become a blot on the urban landscape, for a long time the mammoth bureaucracy ignored the need for parking garages. Demand in society nevertheless eventually led to the construction of many interesting structures – from independently built individual garages, to the construction of parking garages to service the needs of housing estates or serve as noise barriers or built into the underground of apartment buildings, to the charming roadside restaurants and service and petrol stations that were almost constructivist in the practicality of their design.