What You Need to Know about Groningen’s Parking Overhaul
The municipality has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its parking policy to alleviate frustration experienced by city residents due to parking difficulties. The initiative consists of fourteen measures aimed at reducing the inconvenience caused by commuters and visitors occupying parking spaces intended for local residents and their guests.
Among the key changes are the adjustment of visitor permits, transitioning from a weekly to an annual balance system, specific parking zones, and urban redevelopment. The implementation is slated for January 1, 2025.
Reducing street congestion
The city administration aims to create cleaner, safer streets with more green spaces, and to achieve this, they have committed to a strategic approach to reclaiming space from parking areas for the benefit of pedestrians and cyclists. By reducing the number of parking spaces available on streets, the municipality hopes to encourage alternative modes of transportation and create a more inviting urban landscape. However, recognising the need for accessibility, provisions are made for visitors from surrounding villages to access the city under favourable conditions.
Resident-Centric Measures
Residents will feel the impact of these changes firsthand. The municipality intends to limit resident permits to one or two per address, urging households to park additional vehicles in commercial garages. The municipality predicts that a permit for a second car may cost three times as much.
In addition, a shared parking permit aims to promote carpooling among residents living in different neighbourhoods. Visitor permits will undergo a revision, with reduced hours and tiered pricing based on usage.
Parking Zones
Several areas will witness an expansion of paid parking zones, including a pilot program in various districts. The municipality wants to divide the city into four different parking zones. An overview:
Zone 1: Downtown. Nothing will change here for the time being compared to the current situation
Zone 2: Hortusbuurt, Binnenstad-Oost, Westerhaven, Badstratenbuurt, Schildersbuurt, Zeeheldenbuurt, Grunobuurt/Laanhuizen, Rivierenbuurt, Herewegbuurt, Oosterpoort/Meeuwen, Kop van Oost, Noorderplantsoenbuurt, Oranjebuurt, Oosterparkbuurt, De Hoogte, Korrewegbuurt, Professorenbuurt-Oost
Zone 3: De Linie*, Paddepoel, Selwerd, Tuinwijk, Coendersborg, Helpman, Helpman-West, De Wijert-Noord, Corpus Den Hoorn
Zone 4: Hoornse Meer, De Wijert-Zuid, City Park, Oosterhoogebrug
*Different parking rules apply in De Linie than in the other districts in zone 3, because the De Euroborg football stadium is located in that district.
Zone 2 will notice paid parking extended to Sundays. Paid parking will also apply to public holidays, except on Easter, Pentecost and Christmas Day: these are the only three days of the year when free parking is still possible in the neighbourhoods in the second zone. In Zone 3, parking remains free on Sundays, in Zone 4 it is also free on Saturdays.
New city developments, such as Suikerzijde and Stadshaven, will have no public parking spaces, and parking will be reserved exclusively for residents on private property.
The initiative extends beyond the city limits, with Haren poised to align its parking regulations with those of Zone 2 in Groningen. Paid parking will be enforced in Haren's centre, with revised rates and permit structures mirroring those of the city.
Enhanced Regulations for Urban Order
Paid parking will also extend to evenings in specific areas near the city centre to manage congestion and encourage turnover. Additionally, uniform parking rates at shopping centres aim to streamline regulations and minimize parking-related issues, ensuring a consistent experience for visitors and residents alike.
Proposed changes to visitor permit regulations include adjustments to permit durations and pricing structures to ensure fair and efficient use of visitor parking spaces.
Councilor Proposals and Public Input
While these measures represent a comprehensive plan to address parking challenges, they remain subject to further discussion with stakeholders and council approval. However, given the majority support within the municipal council, the likelihood of these proposals coming to fruition is high.
These reforms reflect a proactive approach to urban management, as the city looks ahead to a more orderly and resident-friendly parking landscape.