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    Loss of 10,000 parking spaces feared in Zurich

    The "Parking Compromise" initiative has been submitted

    The "Parking Compromise" initiative calls for the number of parking spaces in Zurich to be maintained. It is a response to the city's planned parking reduction. A cross-party committee submitted the initiative to City Hall today.

    In the fall, the SVP warned against the loss of 10,000 parking spaces in Zurich, arguing that the city was gradually eliminating parking spaces for bicycle priority routes and other projects. Subsequently, a cross-party committee launched the "YES to a Fair Parking Compromise" initiative, which was submitted to the city today. "We have collected 4,746 signatures," SVP City Councilor Stephan Iten told STREETLIFE on Monday. This exceeds the 3,000 signatures required for an initiative. The compromise calls for the current number of parking spaces to be maintained.

    Reduction confirmed
    Iten had calculated in the fall that the counterproposals to the climate initiative would result in a loss of 10,000 to 11,000 parking spaces, or 1,000 annually. The city confirmed to STREETLIFE in September that it would reduce parking spaces. "As of fall 2023, there are 66,698 parking spaces in the city, 31,981 of which are in the blue zone. In order to achieve the goals of the 'Urban Space and Mobility 2040' strategy, the city will reduce further parking spaces," said Roger Schaad, Communications Project Manager for the City of Zurich.

    As early as January, a referendum committee made up of the SVP and FDP successfully collected 4,486 signatures against the parking card ordinance with its confusing pricing system. That's more than twice the required number – and shows that the issue is of concern to the people of Zurich. The referendum on the parking card ordinance is expected to take place on September 28, 2025.

    Angela Krenger
    streetlife.ch