The Philippine parking expo and conference held in Manila is over. The two days were filled with presentations from parking experts from Australia,the UK, the US and the Philippines. (Yes, yours truly was humbled to be surrounded by folks who actually knew something about parking.)
I was impressed that the hundred or so people who attended really wanted to further their knowledge of the parking industry. Their questions were thoughtful, (and sometimes embarrassing to the speakers) they demonstrated their understanding and concerns, and frankly let it be known that they are starting down the path to an organization that will assist them in growing our industry in their country.
They asked me how I felt parking was handled in the Philippines. I was caught off guard a bit but am happy to comment here.
Parking controls as we know them in many countries don't really exist. There are few if any on street parking rules and those that exist aren't enforced to any great degree. On street parking needs political will to become a functioning part of their transportation program.
Off street parking is controlled by land owners and developers and is just beginning to take on technology to ensure that rules are followed and monies are collected. One or two developers are seriously looking at parking controls, the rest will come along when they see how beneficial these controls are to the firms that use them.
My guess is that if they form a parking organization, it will be able to assist in bringing information and guidance to Manila and its environs and that assistance will speed the growth of parking as an industry.
JVH
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