Information provided by Bureau Buitendienst on their pilot study on parking lot terraces:
“The municipality of Groningen conducted a pilot between 2018 and 2020 to allow parking terraces in the summer months of June, July, and August. The aim was to regain public space and have a less central role for the car in the city. The freed-up space could thus be interpreted in a different way; in this case as a parking lot terrace for local restaurants or bars.“
Research: “We interviewed bar and restaurant owners, neighborhood organizations, and civil servants to answer the questions: “How has the pilot with parking lot terraces been experienced and assessed by the stakeholders? And: “Is it possible and desirable to anchor the conditions for permitting parking terraces in policy with a legal assessment framework in the municipality of Groningen?” –Bureau Buitendienst
Result:
“Both the local businesses and the involved civil servants of the municipality of Groningen were very pleased with the result of the parking lot terrace pilot. Allowing a parking terrace is of economic added value for the entrepreneur, it will give less space to cars in the streets and it also/, therefore, contributes to a lively and attractive city. However, both the entrepreneurs and the involved civil servants of the Municipality of Groningen have had various recommendations that would make the process and conditions more in line with the wishes and interests of both groups.” –Bureau Buitendienst
We also did City Rating and the following were Jorrit’s scores for Groningen today:
Walkability: 8 1/2
Cycling: 8 1/2
Public Transit: 8
