Singapore To Convert Parking Spaces To Maximize Public Places
Singapore is looking at the possibility of converting parking spaces to have a "huge opportunity for space" and maximize lots used for car parking, authorities said.
This comes after the push to go for car-lite that would reduce demand for parking spaces and the construction of multi-story car parks by the Housing and Development Board (HDB), where some were used for urban farming in their rooftops.
Experts say that parking spaces conversion may include multi-story car parks. Although there are many possibilities for this project, it will still depend on the car park type and its location.
The said multi-story car parks could become a "multi-sensory, multi-use destination attracting young people to collaborate, meet and innovate," said Dr. Mak Chin Long, Executive Vice President of CPG Consultants.
According to Paul Barter, Adjunct Associate professor of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), these conversions will reflect the efficiency of Singapore's planning and will provide a bigger space considering that car parking takes up a lot of spaces.
Authorities also mentioned that they are planning to pedestrianize or "repurposing certain stretches" for the citizens who are cycling and walking. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) had said that some roadside parking lots along Havelock Road would be paved over for wider path walks in an effort to make walking and cycling more convenient to Singaporeans.
There are around 12,000 car parks recorded in the country, which provides around 1.4 million parking lots that are located in various public and private spaces such as housing estates, residential areas, public car parks, shopping malls, and even in office and commercial buildings.
Despite this, Dr. Paul Barter said that parking is still inefficient and just consumes a lot of space.
Other observers mentioned the need for supplementation of stronger mobility networks for the plan of parking removal that more options for walking and public transportation should be considered.
LTA said that they regularly revise the parking provision standards for new private developments in line with Singapore's car-lite vision.
