ZAGREB, 9 June (Hina) - The conference "Parking Innovations - New Technological and Digital Solutions" was held in Zagreb this week, where it was highlighted that there is no smart city without a well-managed parking system and that innovation and tech are essential for future urban mobility.
Dinko Herman, the president of the Croatian Parking Association, said that the goal of the conference was to bring attention to the issue of parking within the wider context of public infrastructure and to present parking operators as equal partners in urban planning.
"The number of vehicles in Zagreb has increased by around 100,000 over the past ten years, but it's not possible to build the same number of new parking spaces in that time. The solution lies in smart traffic policies and better management of public space," Herman said. He added that Zagreb was already seeing positive results from dividing the city into parking zones, particularly in the central area.
According to data presented at the conference, a car is parked 95% of the time, and drivers spend up to 25 hours per year searching for a parking spot. In some cities, parking areas take up to 68% of total traffic space, and each search for a spot can produce 1.3 kilograms of additional carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, as much as 40% of vehicle damage occurs during parking.
Professor Marko Šoštarić, Dean of the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences at the University of Zagreb, stressed that there could be no smart city without a well-organised parking system.
"It is crucial to organise traffic in a way that encourages walking or cycling for short distances, and using cars only for longer journeys. Parking should not occupy valuable public street space but should be moved to underground garages and peripheral city zones," he said.
The conference message was clear: innovation is essential - from advanced monitoring and payment systems to the use of artificial intelligence and modular software solutions.
Transport must support diversity
Mirjana Čagalj, Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy for Construction and Transport, underscored the need for a transport system that supports diversity, from public transport to electric vehicles and specially designed parking infrastructure.
The conference brought together representatives from local and national government, universities, and both the public and private sectors, including guests from the European Parking Association (EPA), based in Brussels.
The programme featured four thematic blocks focused on the digitalisation and future of parking, urban planning approaches, legal frameworks, and innovations in the sector. More than 20 experts from Croatia and abroad took part, and the organisers expressed hope that the event would contribute to more informed sectoral decision-making in the coming years.
The conference was organised by the Croatian Parking Association and Komunal magazine, under the auspices of the Croatian government and the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure.
