Ruler in the parking space battle: KSG demands the return of the parking spaces!

Ruler in the parking space battle: KSG demands the return of the parking spaces!

Something is happening in Cologne- Zollstock, and not just in the political sphere. Torsten Ilg, the top candidate of the Kölner StadtGesellschaft (KSG) for the Rodenkirchen district council and council candidate, is planning to finally put an end to the reduction of parking spaces. The streets Vorgebirgstrasse, Bornheimer Strasse and Alfter Strasse are particularly affected, where the parking situation has long been annoying residents. “We are bringing back parking spaces,” said Ilg emphatically. He sees this return as a necessary solution to meet the needs of residents and businesses.

The KSG's demands aim for city politics to turn away from ideological experiments and instead consider pragmatic solutions. One of Ilg's central concerns is the opening of a neighborhood garage, which could be built on a former car dealership site on Gottesweg. “That would significantly reduce the pressure on the parking space situation,” he explains, making it clear that his demand is not just about a return to the old way, but about future-oriented urban design.

Parking space management under discussion

The current parking shortage is not an isolated case in Cologne. An increase in residents, commuters and delivery traffic is leading to an acute lack of space in public spaces in many cities. Due to the annual registration of larger vehicles, space is becoming even more limited, which Anita from the KSG is critical of. “We need solutions that go beyond simply providing parking spaces,” Ilg continued. At the same time, the concerns of other road users such as cyclists and pedestrians must also be taken into account.

The discussion about parking space management is controversial in urban society. Many local political representatives are afraid to tackle the issue directly for fear of resistance. But the findings are clear: cities that successfully implement parking management report higher levels of satisfaction among residents and retailers. A brochure from Agora Verkehrswende shows that good communication and citizen participation are crucial for the success of such measures. The citizens of Cologne not only want to know what is happening, but also want their voice to be heard.

Another point that Ilg addresses is the insufficient use of parking space for cargo bikes. “Of course we support environmentally friendly initiatives, but the needs of local residents must not be left behind,” explains Ilg. A balance must be found between sustainable mobility and the interests of urban society.

An appeal to politics

Torsten Ilg makes no secret of the fact that he sees the Greens, CDU and SPD parties as responsible for the unfortunate situation. “We can see a solidarity here that does not promote reorientation in parking space management,” he says and calls on his political competitors to rethink things. “We need fact-oriented politics that gets along without ideological pigeonholes and lazy compromises.”

The Cologne City Society and its projects could soon play a central role in the shadow economy of parking management - an area that is essential for the quality of life in our city. The return of parking spaces may seem like a small measure at first glance, but it could have far-reaching positive effects for the urban community in Cologne- Zollstock.

Read more about the return of parking spaces in Zollstock on my-news.de as well as on Lokalkompass.de and learn how other cities are tackling parking management challenges by taking a look at Agora transport transition throw.