Both Beijing and Bangalore are considering implementing measures that require drivers to secure a parking space before they are allowed to purchase a car. This is not a new concept - they have been doing it in Tokyo for a while.
I should mention that in Bangalore this initiative is being driven by the Global Initiative for Restructuring Environment and Management, so I can't say how the government feels about it. But Beijing is allegedly already onboard.
On one side of the coin, it makes sense that anyone with a vehicle should be responsible to have a place to park it. But it seems that both cities are using this a method to fight congestion. Even if the car owner has a place to park the vehicle at night, is that really when all the congestion is happening? What about when the drivers are out and about, driving around the city doing whatever it is they do? This is when the congestion actually happens, when they are double and triple parked outside a store or some other place of business.
Congestion must be dealt with, and parking is part of the problem, but I don't think making sure there is a space at home is the real answer.
Pete Goldin
Comments