[specialist]

Unmaintained asphalt eventually reverts to gravel. No need to haul anything away.

Were I replacing parking lots, I'd prioritize any abandoned / under utilized lots. Just start mulching and planting.

Plant willows and maples to break up the surface. Or maybe mechanically break things up, if the best-available-science supports doing so, if you're impatient.

Bonus Points: Convert planters, meridians, etc into P-Patch style community gardens. People love to garden. In my city, the wait list to join a P-Patch is years long.