Why not build multi-storey car parks than just bays?

It is nearly impossible to find parking spots in Abu Dhabi's residential areas after 6pm, say residents.

Earlier this month, the Department of Transport (DoT) announced the addition of 6,598 new parking spaces in the Capital. However, residents are urging for the implementation of multi-storey car parks in the city, as many still find it difficult to find a free parking space.
The DoT has added new unpaid and paid parking bays in the city. The unpaid parking bays, which include a total of 5,440 spaces, are located between the Shaikh Zayed Road from the east, Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed street from the west, Shakhbout bin Sultan Street from the north and Salama bint Butti from the south.
The 1,158 paid parking spaces are located between Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street from the east, Al Bateen from the west, Delma Street from the north and Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Street from the south.
A further 641 spaces are located between Al Karamah Street from the east, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street from the west, Rabdan Street from the north and Al Safarat Street from the south. Mohammed Hamad bin Fahd Al Muhairi, general manager of Parking Division at the DoT, said the new parking spaces should help improve the transport infrastructure and will also allow residents to have quicker access to parking bays.
However, some residents believe that a helpful solution to the issue would be to build multi-storey car parks.
Ammar Ghasan, a resident, told Khaleej Times the new parking spaces are helpful.
However, parking buildings will be more effective, he said.
"It's nearly impossible to find a free (parking) space near the Khalidiya area without having to circling around the block, especially after 6pm.
"There would be a tremendous change if we have parking buildings implemented around the residential areas," he said.
Ghasan's wife also suggested that multi-storey car parks should be implemented near residential areas. "It would save a lot of time if residents have large parking buildings located near apartment buildings.
"Perhaps they can distribute floors of the parking buildings between different apartment buildings," she pointed out.
DoT mulls over new parking buildings
A DoT official told Khaleej Times they are "revising" the requirements for establishing new parking buildings around the city.
"In coordination with relevant stakeholders in municipalities and the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, DoT is constantly revising Mawaqif requirements and needs for establishing new buildings in some sectors. These requirements are based on ongoing studies that the DoT is conducting to ensure providing services according to the highest quality standards, and to resolve any current risks or prevent any future ones."
The official said motorists who struggle to find parking spaces should opt for taxis and buses for short journeys.
"For long-term parking for work or leisure, motorists should make use of Park and Ride facilities at strategic locations. There are free shuttle buses from these Park and Ride locations."
The official noted that "sharing is always a sign of caring" when it comes to commuting to work.
"Motorists are encouraged to car-share to work. The Abu Dhabi carpooling website is an online application developed with the aim of facilitating ride sharing among friends and colleagues, and promoting carpooling." The service offered by the DoT is the only government-backed scheme in Abu Dhabi and is free of charge for organisations and individuals to register and use.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi