Abstract
Town centres are mostly areas with mixed functions such as dwelling, working and shopping. The car is used as a means of transport during only a small part of the day. During the other part of the day the car is parked. This parking is still developing into a social and economic problem in many cities caused by increasing vehicle ownership. Therefore the local authorities must have the financial support of the government to improve the dwelling and living environment in the town centre as well as to improve the town centre as a functional centre.