“Improving Citizen Transportation Welfare” … Changwon Special City Expands Convenient Parking Spaces

Creation of 1,017 Public and Shared Parking Spaces

Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam Province plans to expand 47 public and shared parking lots with a total of 1,017 spaces this year as a community-oriented project to improve citizens' transportation welfare.

Open Parking Lot (Bansong Middle School).

Despite continuous expansion and maintenance of parking facilities, downtown parking problems are worsening, and there are limits to the supply of parking spaces. Therefore, the city plans not only to create public parking lots but also to promote parking lot sharing projects to alleviate parking difficulties in residential areas and improve parking infrastructure.

First, a total of 7 public parking lots with 417 spaces will be created. As part of the parking environment improvement project, 5 locations with 334 spaces will be established in the old downtown and commercial areas around Yangdeok 1-dong, Yangdeok 2-dong, Yeoja-dong, Hapjeong 1-dong, and Sogye-dong. Additionally, the province’s first dedicated parking lots for camping vehicles will be created with 83 spaces at two locations in Sogye-dong, Uichang-gu, and Jukgok-dong, Jinhae-gu.

Furthermore, shared parking lots will include 5 open parking lots with 150 spaces that open private parking lots of public, religious facilities, and commercial buildings during unused hours for nearby residents to share. Also, 35 temporary public parking lots with 450 spaces will be created by converting idle vacant lots or wasteland into parking areas.

Owners participating in the open parking lot project will receive support for parking facility improvement costs, and owners providing land for temporary parking lots on vacant lots will be granted property tax reductions.

Institutions or building (land) owners wishing to participate in open parking lots or vacant lot parking lots can apply by February at the Economic and Transportation Division of their district office or at the Eup, Myeon, Dong administrative welfare centers where their property is located.

Lee Jong-geun, Director of the Transportation and Construction Bureau, said, “This community-oriented parking space expansion project is an important initiative to improve citizens’ quality of life and urban development. This year, we will vigorously create shared parking lots to enhance parking convenience among neighbors and greatly contribute to the spread of sharing culture.”