SAY NO TO MORE PARKING THAT WILL DRIVE UP CONGESTION

We have until midnight tonight to email the municipality using our straightforward template to oppose more parking. We must urge them to adhere to their previously passed policies and to reconsider this very premature "feasibility" study.

Please consider taking 5 minutes out of your time today to help with the following:

1. Share this blog post with all your network.

2. Sign our petition - see below on the reasons why.

3. Listen to our interview with Cape Talk.

4. Write to Stellenbosch Municipality, using our template.

5. Sign our letter that will go out later today.

6. Repeat the 5 above steps.

But, what are we saying, why and what is everyone else saying?

New Public Space. Illustration by Alex Maas, 2024.

We strongly believe that the space can serve a more multifaceted function, ranging from a public space, green micro-mobility hub, and public restrooms, to a library, with even a small area allocated to parking. Additionally, the simple scientific law of induced demand is very clear: providing more parking will attract more motorists and thus not solve the congestion that the city's advertisement disingenuously claimed.

Us as Young Urbanists, the Active Mobility Forum, and Stellenbosch Fietsry, call upon the Stellenbosch Municipality to halt the premature public participation process and reconsider the proposed development of a new 3-storey parking facility at Erven 1962-RE, 1969-1976, 1954, 6402, and 6636 in the CBD's heart.

Key Reasons to Oppose:

1. Inadequate Feasibility Study: The proposal is based on overly simplistic "desktop research" lacking a multidisciplinary assessment and detailed transportation impact analysis, particularly in alleviating traffic congestion claims.

2. Contradiction to Municipality Policies: The development undermines Stellenbosch's approved policies, including the Spatial Development Framework 2019, Comprehensive Integrated Development Transportation Plan 2022-2026, and Non-Motorized Transportation Master Plan 2020, which prioritize sustainable urban mobility and reduced car dependency.

3. Global Best Practices Ignored: The project disregards global best practices in urban planning and mobility management, which advocate for enhancing public transportation, adopting complete streets policies, promoting non-motorized transport, and leveraging smart mobility solutions.

Our Demands:

1. Immediate Halt to Public Participation Process: Given the project's contradictions with existing policies and the lack of a comprehensive feasibility study, the process is premature.

2. Reevaluation of the Project: Consider alternative solutions that align with Stellenbosch's policy frameworks and global best practices for urban development and congestion management.

3.  Engagement in Constructive Dialogue: Open channels for dialogue with stakeholders to explore sustainable alternatives that support a vibrant, accessible, and environmentally friendly urban environment.

Proposed Alternatives:

Park-and-Ride. Illustrated by Alex Maas, 2024

1. Peripheral Park-and-Ride Facilities: Develop outside CBD parking solutions to encourage the use of public transport and reduce congestion.

2. Investment in NMT and Public Transport: Prioritize the Non-Motorized Transportation Master Plan's implementation and support innovative mobility solutions like electrical bike-sharing schemes.

What others has been saying?

We have been blown away by your support. Some stats we can share:

Over 800 signatures. 15 paid promoters. ZAR 2,447 contributed. 19,220 purchase views. Over 30 emails using our template. And many, many social media shares and comments.

Not only is people sharing our call but they are making their voice heard. Here what people are saying:

That will add to the problem, not the solution. Please make a regular, reliable shuttle service / safe transport available and create safe parking ouside Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch's tourists will stay away if they cannot get into this beautiful old town. - Katin Huyssen

Indeed, it is not the solution. The Municipality needs to ensure that any budgeted work strictly aligns with their own approved policies from the MSDF, Adam Tas LSDF Corridor, CITP, and NMT Master Plan, which this plan does not follow. This approach is very inappropriate and a waste of taxpayers' money, especially considering the cuts to government spending and our constant hearing that there is no money for NMT (Non-Motorized Transport).

Stellenbosch can become a model for NMT solutions in SA. We should not miss the opportunity to be ahead of other municipalities. Additional parking spaces in CBD will restrict our future option. - Florian Bauer

This is indeed correct. They have the biggest opportunity to become South Africa's first town that truly puts people first, establishes a car-free zone, and increases the modal split. We are here to meet and collaborate with the municipality and private sector to make this happen.

The traffic is already a huge problem, this amount of parking space will just make it worse. Rather change the town to a more pedestrian and cycle friendly space. Use the money to make it saver and more people friendly for tourists and students and recidents. The economy of Stellenbosch relies on that. - Emmerie Nell

Yes, yes, and yes. Our alternative is purely for economic reasons. Countless pieces of evidence have shown that people make local businesses thrive, not cars. Allocating more land-use space to cars will not only increase congestion but actually kill the local economy.

So, there you have it.

Please email the municipality by midnight tonight and consider the following to help our movement.