Maxnorm i svensk parkeringsstrategi

As people travel more than ever before, transport and infrastructure is growing in all Swedish cities. With growing emission levels of nitrogen dioxide, greenhouse gases and particles, and an increasing risk of traffic-related accidents, parking strategy is a key component in planning and securing the healthy development of the city's infrastructure. For new construction and rebuilding a parking 'norm' is established by the municipality, indicating the number of new parking spaces that may be erected. This standard may be specified in the maximum number of parking spaces (maximinorm) or minimum number of parking spaces (miniminorm). In Sweden in the current situation we exclusively use miniminorm which means that the Swedish parking planners cannot restrict the landlords interests when the parking spaces are to be constructed. Maximinorm has been used successfully for a many years in many international cities. In cities such as Helsinki, Oslo and Zurich, as explained in chapter 3, we can clearly see how restrictive norms have helped to keep down the negative effects of car traffic in the city, been used as an instrument for steering the location of industrial development, increased interest in the development of alternative modes of transportation, while it has not had a negative impact on the economy of the city. In interviews held with key individuals involved in the planning of new car parking in Swedish cities, the response was positive about the introduction of the maximinorm. It is assumed that restrictive parking norms may mean a more sustainable urban environment where the focus can be on alternative modes of transportation which are environmentally friendly and efficient. For this to be relevant to consider in the future, the interviewed subjects stress the importance of political unity. There has to be a will to invest and dedicate resources and time to establish a more restrictive parking policy, or people will find themselves without alternate modes of transportation when the car traffic is limited. In chapter 6 conclusions are drawn from the literature study and all case studies and interviews. The effects of the introduction of a restrictive maximinorm as a tool in the Swedish parking strategy can be summarized in a number of points: • Reducing the negative effects of car traffic: - Particle Emissions - Acidic Emissions - Noise - Accidents • Avoid the over-development of parking areas. • Development and increased usage of alternative and environmentally friendly transport modes