Thursday, Sep 12, 2013
The decision to restrict the use of parking plazas of Dubai Metro stations to users of this public transport is to be welcomed. Often, these parking spaces are a bone of contention as nonusers of the Metro also lay claims to the spots placing unnecessary stress on those who genuinely deserve them. The argument for this restriction is difficult to fault. A city’s evolution is dependant, among many things, on how its public transport is maximised by its people, which boosts efficiency of infrastructure and upgrades the convenience of mobility.
A crucial aspect of this evolution is the availability of parking spaces in and around Metro hubs that make it easier for commuters to use the service on a daily basis. If nonusers crowd out the users, it has a debilitating domino effect at the macro level as people shy away from using the Metro which, in turn, leads to a depreciation in the value of urban infrastructure. The causal relationship between people, facilities and their proper usage is a fundamental operating principle for urban health. Any move to strengthen this relationship — such as this decision — can only bode well for everyone.
Gulf News
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