Parking management is examined as a vital tool for achieving and sustaining access to city centres, and pedestrian zones and `car-free' city centres as traffic management instruments within city centres. These issues are discussed within a broader context, including the social roles and lifestyles of city centres. The discussion is based on a European understanding of city centres as focal points of activities for cities, regions, and countries, and argues that city centres must be protected from increasing car problems. Although transport planning and management for city centres have made some progress in Western Europe during the past 20 years, most cities are far from achieving their aims. The structure of parking demand is analysed in some detail, with respect to transport mode used, trip purpose, and the effects of pressure on demand. Parking supply is analysed in relation to its balance with demand, on-street parking, public parking garages, park and ride, and home delivery by city-centre shops. Salzburg, Austria is presented as an example of traffic management success. Pedestrianisation and `car-free' city centres are discussed in relation to four German cities and Bologna, Italy. Several conclusions and recommendations are presented. Some comments are made on the traffic situation in Bucharest, Romania. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 893662.
Abstract