THE EFFECTS OF PARKING MEASURES ON CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR

Deteriorating accessibility is one of the main reasons for concern over the proper functioning of the inner cities. Therefore there must be a guarantee that customers, suppliers and delivery services can get as near to their destination as possible. A good economic performance in a city centre has a positive effect on socio-cultural functions as well. An important factor are parking facilities. In Nijmegen a comparative study was conducted in 1978 and 1982, including a street interview among shoppers in the city centre and the suburb Dukenburg. From 1978 to 1982 free parking in the city centre was reduced, paid parking became more expensive and only 2 of the 5 planned parking garages were built. The changes in orientation in the city centre were slight and were thought to be the result of the economic decline rather than being caused by the parking measures. Quality of parking provisions seems to be more important than quantity. There is some shift from car to bicycle usage. (TRRL)