Istanbul, a bustling metropolis, is grappling with one other vexing subject 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 large inhabitants of 20 million, as reported by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) in November 2023, the variety of registered autos cruising the town’s streets has soared to five,370,730. This inflow of autos, coupled with the town’s swelling populace, has aggravated site visitors snarls and concrete transportation challenges, with parking shortage rising as a major concern.
Statistics reveal that Istanbul’s residents, spending a mean of three.5 years in site visitors throughout their lifetimes, confront the arduous job of securing a parking spot upon reaching their locations.
Even in residential areas, Istanbulites grapple with the daunting job of discovering parking spots close to their properties, squandering treasured time looking for accessible heaps. This problem intensifies in densely populated districts like Beşiktaş, Şişli, Bakırköy, Fatih, Kadıköy, Üsküdar and Ümraniye.
The subject of insufficient parking services, impractical constructions and incorrect parking strategies has worsened, resulting in a proliferation of drivers resorting to roadside and sidewalk parking. This indiscriminate parking apply disrupts the town’s site visitors move.
As per the 2022 Activity Report of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), the town homes 7,195 automotive parks, excluding residential constructing services, accommodating roughly 1,143,907 autos. İSPARK AŞ, an IBB subsidiary, administers 753 automotive parks, totaling 123,479 areas, comprising 20,073 road, 62,642 open-air and 40,764 enclosed parking slots. Additionally, 6,442 automotive parks managed by private and non-private entities present house for over 1,020,428 autos.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality continues its efforts, setting up 29 automotive parks with a capability of 10,863 autos, overseeing tenders for 5 automotive parks accommodating 2,051 autos, initiating tasks for eight automotive parks accommodating 4,569 autos and conducting surveys for 1,173 automotive parks able to internet hosting 316,832 autos.
Reporters from Anadolu Agency (AA) collected parking info from 39 district municipalities in Istanbul and spoke with drivers to gauge opinions on the town’s parking predicament.
Istanbul resident Ilyas Kasarcı highlighted the problem confronted by drivers resorting to parking in pedestrian areas because of the 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 wrestle to find a parking house for disabled people, particularly as a consequence of her walking-impaired little one. Dereyatağı prompt setting up further parking heaps, notably 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 automotive, recognized parking as one in every of Istanbul’s essential 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 bought his automotive as a consequence 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 building transportation and parking plans earlier than creating residential areas, procuring 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 the town’s parking requirements for five million autos are inadequate, not even reaching 20%.
He emphasised the importance of current laws, enacted in 2021, that mandates the development of a car parking zone for every house. This new regulation addresses a problem that was neglected in earlier years, contributing to the severity of Istanbul’s parking downside.
Öztürk advocated for pressing motion from municipalities to assemble parking services in older settlements and high-traffic areas grappling with parking points. He careworn 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 said 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 accessible parking areas, akin to real-time site visitors density monitoring through satellite tv for pc. Öztürk estimated that fixing these parking points might alleviate 44% of Istanbul’s site visitors congestion.
Öztürk advisable the development of multistory automotive parks with mechanical programs, notably close to procuring facilities, occasion halls, colleges, and many others., 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 nations the place sure areas prohibit automobile site visitors or cost charges for automobile entry. He advocated for comparable approaches in Istanbul, suggesting the availability of parking heaps and improved public transportation surrounding these areas.
Source: www.dailysabah.com