Integrated approach to parking pressure
The municipality of Heerlen is going to tackle parking problems in the districts completely. We are making an analysis per district: how many reports are there, which reports are there and at what times does the nuisance occur? Then we will look for solutions together with the residents. We are implementing this new way of working during a pilot in GMS.
The number of passenger cars has increased by 10% in the last 10 years and will only continue to increase in the coming period. The spatial structure in neighborhoods is not designed for this, so residents experience parking nuisance more often.
Tackling these types of problems is not easy. Car owners often see the first and only solution as the creation of additional parking spaces. This is almost never feasible, due to the lack of space and other requirements. Such as more greenery in the neighbourhood. Adjustments in one part of a neighbourhood can also lead to undesirable effects in the other part.
Challenges
The choice for a district around the center as a pilot was not chosen. In GMS there is the highest parking pressure, a large number of illegal parkers and many complaints. This has to do with the location of the district, bordering the center. Due to the type of problems there are many challenges to find the right (custom) solution.
Better quality of life
Marco Peters , Alderman mobility: “Improving the quality of life in neighbourhoods and districts is the main reason for this new parking approach. We want to offer solutions that are attractive to all residents. Both for car owners and for residents who attach great value to an attractive (play) environment. The new parking approach helps us to achieve this. We will use the experiences from this first pilot for the approach in the other districts”.