Eeklo (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Eeklo plans to scrap paid parking by Jan 1, 2027, aiming to boost local business and mobility. #Team9900 backs it; Alderman cites €500,000 revenue loss and smart parking solutions.
Eeklo, province of East Flanders, Belgium, is getting ready to stop charging for parking. According to the officials, it is part of a bigger plan to make it easier for everyone to get around and help local businesses thrive.
They mentioned that this change is linked to a vision of creating areas with less traffic and building better, safer paths for bikes, to make it easier for people to walk, cycle, and use public transport. This free parking plan is also a promise from #Team9900, the local political group.
“By making free parking possible, we could strengthen the local economy.
Consumers are now more likely to choose shopping centres outside Eeklo, where parking is free,”
Says the alderman.
What changes will Eeklo’s free parking plan bring by 2027?
According to officials, getting rid of paid parking will mean the city loses about half a million euros each year, which they’ll need to figure out in their budget. Even with this loss, the plan is to make sure there are enough free parking spots close to shops, restaurants, and important places. They mentioned that this will stop people from parking for too long in busy areas.
The city of Eeklo is thinking about using smart parking to make the new free parking work well. They might use sensors in parking spots to see how long cars are parked. The sensors would automatically keep track of parking times, so they wouldn’t need parking meters or people checking.
The city plans to give residents a digital blue card. They mentioned that this would let locals park in special spots more easily. It would replace old paper permits, making it simpler to know who is a resident and who is visiting.
“We want to use technology intelligently to make parking user-friendly and efficient,”
De Waele explains.
According to De Waele, the goal is to ensure the system works for all and does not cause issues, including individuals parking in spaces for extended periods. They intend to get rid of all parking meters on January 1, 2027, if all goes according to plan. They want to ensure they do it right the first time because it will be hard to change afterward.
