Title: Bremen Considers Neighborhood Parking as a Solution to Resident Parking Issues
Date: June 20, 2023
Author: Fabian Raddatz
Residents parking at night on supermarket parking spaces? A feasibility study is now underway to explore the future of district parking in Bremen. The city is considering various options, including utilizing neighborhood garages or parking spaces in front of supermarkets. The aim is to address the ongoing challenges faced by residents when it comes to finding parking spaces.
According to Linda Neddermann, spokesperson for the construction and transport departments, Bremen is also engaging in discussions with other cities, such as Düsseldorf, to gather insights and learn from their experiences in implementing resident parking solutions.
Düsseldorf has already taken a step forward in this regard. The city has signed a declaration of intent with major supermarket chains, including Penny, Netto, Lidl, and Aldi, to allow car owners to park their vehicles in customer parking spaces outside of business hours. This initiative aims to provide a potential solution to the resident parking problem. Additionally, DIY stores have shown interest in making their parking spaces available for residents.
To ensure effective implementation, a night parking register is being planned to identify relevant areas. A preliminary inventory conducted in Findorff revealed that there is significant potential for such a project in Bremen. The inventory counted nearly 750 private parking spaces in the Hemmstraße, Admiralstraße, Finndorffstraße, and Plantage areas. These spaces, located near a drinks market, a bowling center, and a Netto supermarket, were only around one-third occupied even during peak times.
In Düsseldorf, practical tests have already been conducted in individual supermarkets. Lidl, for example, has been offering the option of parking at night in specially designated parking areas since June 2020. Users can book a parking space via an app and park their cars from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following day. Cashless payment is facilitated through the app, with a cost of EUR 0.50 per hour or a flat rate of EUR 3 per night.
While the concept of renting certain parking spaces may not align with the concept of urban resident parking, Lidl spokesperson Julie Simone Berger acknowledged that their offer is open to all interested individuals, but is primarily utilized by residents. In Bremen, residents typically pay an annual fee of 30 euros for a parking sticker, which grants them access to designated areas free of charge but does not guarantee a fixed parking space.
Jan König, Managing Director of the Northwest Trade Association, which represents 16 districts and urban areas in the Verden, Ammerland, Vechta, and Cuxhaven regions, stated that releasing supermarket spaces in residential areas for residents’ parking would be uncharted territory for any price model. However, he believes that this idea could be beneficial for residents, companies, and the municipality, especially in connection with the installation of charging stations for electric cars.
It is worth noting that there have been previous disputes regarding fines for parking too long in supermarket parking spaces. To address this issue, many supermarkets have employed specialized service providers to manage and control their parking spaces. In Düsseldorf, license plate recognition systems are used to monitor parking times accurately.
Overall, Bremen is actively exploring different options to improve resident parking. By considering neighborhood gar
What are some of the popular establishments near Findorff that have a significant number of privately owned parking spaces unoccupied during the night, according to the preliminary inventory
D occupied during the night.
The neighborhood parking concept is gaining traction in many cities as a viable solution to the ongoing frustrations faced by residents who struggle to find parking spaces near their homes. By utilizing existing parking spaces in garages or in front of supermarkets, cities like Bremen and Düsseldorf hope to alleviate some of the parking issues.
The discussions and feasibility study in Bremen are aimed at understanding the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a district parking system. By learning from the experiences of other cities, Bremen aims to develop an effective and practical solution for its residents.
In Düsseldorf, major supermarket chains have already taken the initiative to allow residents to park in customer parking spaces outside of business hours. This collaborative effort between the city and businesses aims to alleviate the parking problems faced by residents. DIY stores have also shown interest in participating in the solution by making their parking spaces available to residents.
To ensure the success of the neighborhood parking concept, a night parking register is being planned. This register will help identify areas where parking spaces can be utilized effectively. A preliminary inventory in Findorff showed a significant number of private parking spaces that could potentially be used for this project. These spaces were found near popular establishments like a drinks market, a bowling center, and a Netto supermarket, and were mostly unoccupied during the night.
By considering neighborhood parking as a solution, Bremen hopes to address the ongoing resident parking issues. The city aims to create a system that benefits both residents and businesses, ultimately making parking more accessible and convenient for everyone.
This feasibility study on resident parking in Bremen is a crucial step towards navigating future options. It’s vital to explore sustainable solutions that prioritize the needs of residents while addressing the ongoing parking challenges in the city.