Sidewalk 'surgery' to create car parking lots: Why not?

(Baonghean.vn) - Parking lots are a very important part of the urban static traffic system. In Vinh City, this part still has many shortcomings, requiring early solutions.

After the first phase of the sidewalk rescue campaign, many streets in Vinh City now have more spacious and beautiful sidewalks. However, a new problem is emerging, which is that on many streets, due to the situation of cars stopping and parking on both sides of the road, the roadway area is narrowed. Therefore, motor vehicles, motorbikes, and non-motorized vehicles share the same lane, making traffic difficult, and at times there are traffic jams.

On any road in Vinh city, cars are parked haphazardly on both sides of the road. Photo: Nhat Lan

A principle in urban traffic planning is to always go hand in hand with planning the static traffic system. That is to plan and build car parking lots. Currently, Vinh city with its limited land fund has not been able to plan large public parking lots in the inner city. Meanwhile, the number of cars is growing at a dizzying speed. Therefore, the option of "surgery" on sidewalks to create parking lots is a solution that needs to be considered.

The roadway narrows, and vehicles often encroach on each other's lanes. Photo: Nhat Lan

To implement this solution, Vinh city leaders need to assign the Vinh City Urban Management Department and the urban infrastructure management unit to review all the city's roads. Only perform "surgery" on sidewalks with a large enough area to ensure both the planning of car parking lots, and at the same time ensure enough space for pedestrians and ensure urban aesthetics.

In the writer's personal opinion, currently, there are quite a few streets in Vinh city with sidewalks wide enough for "surgery" and the construction of parking lots. For example, Lenin - Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Avenue (extending from Phuong Dong Hotel to Vinh Airport), Quang Trung Street, Nguyen Sy Sach Street, Tran Phu Street (Central Park section)...

The sidewalk on Tran Phu Street (Central Park section) is very wide but not yet effective. Photo: Nhat Lan

On these routes, if planned properly, there will be many parking lots for Vinh city. If built, they will contribute to reducing the number of cars parked on both sides of the road, thereby minimizing traffic congestion, while still creating an aesthetic for the city.

In fact, the solution of “surgery” on sidewalks to build car parking lots has been implemented and succeeded by some cities. For example, in the urban areas of the North Central region, Hue city has implemented it.

A car park converted from a sidewalk in Hue City. Photo: Internet

In Vinh city, for a long time, car parking lots (managed by organizations) have been formed on both sides of the road corridors, very effective and highly aesthetic. These are the parking lots at Ho Chi Minh Square, Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Committee, Provincial General Hospital...

The parking lot in front of the Provincial People's Committee is a good option for Vinh City authorities to study and renovate the sidewalk. Photo: Nhat Lan

Or in urban areas belonging to Tecco New Technology Investment Construction and Application Joint Stock Company, Hanoi Housing Investment and Development Joint Stock Company No. 30 (on Quang Trung Street), although there are some opinions that they are occupying the sidewalk, but with what is currently available here, it shows that these businesses have created a perfect connection between the sidewalk, capital, trees, and parking lots...

The combination of sidewalks, green trees and car parking in the urban area of ​​Tecco New Technology Investment, Construction and Application Joint Stock Company is also a good option for Vinh City authorities to study. Photo: Nhat Lan

A few examples like that show that the solution of “surgery” on sidewalks to create parking lots has been proven in practice. Although it will require investment of effort and money, the Vinh city government needs to research and implement it soon.

Nhat Lan