Are residents willing to walk hundreds of meters to get to their car if they get more greenery at the door in return? They try that out in Eindhoven. Nineteen parking spaces right in front of the door have been sacrificed for greenery. The cars can be parked on a parking square on the edge of the neighborhood.
It is being investigated in such a way whether ‘charging squares’ can come in the future: a parking space full of electric cars and charging points. “Then we no longer have to have all those ugly charging stations in the neighborhood. People don’t want that,” says Nicole Papen, one of the initiators.
A survey in the Vonderkwartier district showed that people prefer to park their electric car on the edge of the neighborhood to be able to load there. “We test whether people are also willing to park further away. So you have to walk about a hundred, two hundred or three hundred meters, a bit dependent on where you live in the street. So it is a walk, but for that you get back that you have nice green in your street.”
Because that is also part of the test. The nineteen available parking spaces will be given a different destination during the experiment. For example, a parking space has been converted into a herb garden. A lawn has arrived at another parking space. “It is a bit symbol if you would make a parking space with concrete tiles where grass can grow in between.”
There has also been a deck for bicycles. “There were often bicycles parked among the cars. Sometimes it fell on it. So now people can park their bikes here nicely.”
There are now benches in several parking spaces. “That is for meetings in the neighborhood. And here they have sacrificed two parking spaces for greenery with extra trees.”
Those who really have to park can still go to the street. “Of course there are still places in the street where you can park. To unload your car, but also when you come home with children with a Maxi-Cosi. Or for the disabled and the elderly. That is taken into account.”
“Cars no longer play such a central role.”
Three years ago, a few local residents approached the municipality asking if loading in the Vonderkwartier could be done differently. Residents of the Anna Paulownastraat and Hendrik Casimirstraat are now taking part in the test.
For resident Finn Walrecht (21) it is not necessary to park further away. “For me it is ideal to be able to put it close or in front of the door. For the convenience. I am quite willing to walk a bit, but I prefer to simply put it here in front of the door.”
Resident Geert Roijmans (69) is sitting. “The quality of life in the neighborhood is making great progress. Cars no longer play such a central role.” He doesn’t mind a walk. “I go a lot by bike and walking, so I’m used to that.”
The test lasts until Thursday and then the nineteen parking spaces in the streets will return. “The experiment was successful if we have learned something from it. And that we have shown people that it is possible to get more green in your street,” said initiator Papen.
