Istanbul, a bustling metropolis, is grappling with one other vexing challenge associated to motorcar congestion: the acute scarcity of parking areas. This dilemma not solely inconveniences drivers however has additionally, in tragic cases, resulted in deadly altercations.
In line with Istanbul’s huge inhabitants of 20 million, as reported by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) in November 2023, the variety of registered automobiles cruising town’s streets has soared to five,370,730. This inflow of automobiles, coupled with town’s swelling populace, has aggravated site visitors snarls and concrete transportation challenges, with parking shortage rising as a big concern.
Statistics reveal that Istanbul’s residents, spending a median of three.5 years in site visitors throughout their lifetimes, confront the arduous process of securing a parking spot upon reaching their locations.
Even in residential areas, Istanbulites grapple with the daunting process of discovering parking spots close to their houses, squandering treasured time searching for out there heaps. This problem intensifies in densely populated districts like Beşiktaş, Şişli, Bakırköy, Fatih, Kadıköy, Üsküdar and Ümraniye.
The challenge of insufficient parking services, impractical buildings and incorrect parking strategies has worsened, resulting in a proliferation of drivers resorting to roadside and sidewalk parking. This indiscriminate parking follow disrupts town’s site visitors move.
As per the 2022 Activity Report of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), town homes 7,195 automobile parks, excluding residential constructing services, accommodating roughly 1,143,907 automobiles. İSPARK AŞ, an IBB subsidiary, administers 753 automobile parks, totaling 123,479 areas, comprising 20,073 avenue, 62,642 open-air and 40,764 enclosed parking slots. Additionally, 6,442 automobile parks managed by private and non-private entities present area for over 1,020,428 automobiles.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality continues its efforts, setting up 29 automobile parks with a capability of 10,863 automobiles, overseeing tenders for 5 automobile parks accommodating 2,051 automobiles, initiating tasks for eight automobile parks accommodating 4,569 automobiles and conducting surveys for 1,173 automobile parks able to internet hosting 316,832 automobiles.
Reporters from Anadolu Agency (AA) collected parking data from 39 district municipalities in Istanbul and spoke with drivers to gauge opinions on town’s parking predicament.
Istanbul resident Ilyas Kasarcı highlighted the problem confronted by drivers resorting to parking in pedestrian areas as a result of metropolis’s parking shortage. He lamented: “Pedestrians cannot use the roads; parking spaces are insufficient. The municipality could utilize more parking spots. ISPARKs (municipal parking facilities) are inadequate. Istanbul was not like this before. I’m 90 years old.”
Nurhan Dereyatağı shared her battle to find a parking area for disabled people, particularly on account of her walking-impaired baby. Dereyatağı prompt setting up further parking heaps, significantly underground ones, and emphasised the necessity for designated disabled parking close to well being services. She urged wholesome people to not occupy disabled parking spots, citing the inadequate availability of those designated areas.
Ismail Hakkı Kar, ready for his spouse in his parked automobile, recognized parking as considered one of Istanbul’s important issues. He proposed a zoning system akin to London, stating: “The cheapest hourly parking costs TL 40 ($1.35). There’s uncertainty over the car’s safety. It’s a serious issue, but politicians pay little attention. What is responsible parking? What should citizens demand from local authorities? Finding a spot feels like a 5% chance lottery win.”
Soner Gürlük, a Marmara Street service provider, revealed he offered his automobile on account of fixed fines associated to parking challenges. He expressed frustration: “I get fined five to six times monthly; there’s no parking. As a merchant here, parking takes hours. I just can’t find a spot.”
Environmental engineer professor Mustafa Öztürk shared insights with an AA relating to potential options to Istanbul’s parking challenges. Öztürk highlighted the significance of creating transportation and parking plans earlier than growing residential areas, buying complexes and business or industrial zones in giant metropolitan cities like Istanbul.
According to Öztürk, this methodology is practiced in European nations, America and Japan. He famous that the parking charge in America exceeds 100%, contrasting considerably with Istanbul’s charge, which stays under 20%. This signifies that town’s parking requirements for five million automobiles are inadequate, not even reaching 20%.
He emphasised the importance of latest laws, enacted in 2021, that mandates the development of a parking zone for every condo. This new regulation addresses a difficulty that was neglected in earlier years, contributing to the severity of Istanbul’s parking drawback.
Öztürk advocated for pressing motion from municipalities to assemble parking services in older settlements and high-traffic areas grappling with parking points. He pressured the necessity for these parking areas to be quickly recognized and created in a metropolis like Istanbul.
The professor proposed that metropolitan, provincial or district municipalities implement preparations throughout the cellphone programs to facilitate residents’ entry to parking areas. He acknowledged that people spend a good portion (30%-40%) of their time looking for parking in Istanbul and prompt {that a} sensible system might direct drivers to out there parking areas, akin to real-time site visitors density monitoring by way of satellite tv for pc. Öztürk estimated that fixing these parking points might alleviate 44% of Istanbul’s site visitors congestion.
Öztürk really useful the development of multistory automobile parks with mechanical programs, significantly close to buying facilities, occasion halls, faculties, and so on., permitting most parking inside a minimal space. He prompt integrating rainwater harvesting mechanisms inside these infrastructures to handle rainwater successfully.
Furthermore, Öztürk highlighted examples from European international locations the place sure areas prohibit car site visitors or cost charges for car entry. He advocated for related approaches in Istanbul, suggesting the availability of parking heaps and improved public transportation surrounding these areas.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
