Gathering group for allocation of two parking spots
Wuppertal's First "Pocket Park" Sparks Controversy
In the heart of Wuppertal, a transformative change is underway. The city is repurposing two parking spaces in Elberfeld Südstadt, marking the city's first foray into creating a "pocket park" - small in size, but big in urban design.
However, not everyone is thrilled about this change. Local resident Doris Mohr, who has previously won a legal battle with the city over a parking space in Weststraße, is leading the protests against the removal of these two parking spaces. Mohr distributed flyers in the surrounding streets, stating, "Fight back! We don't need a designer drug den and no noble dog toilet area, we need parking spaces."
At a recent meeting, Mohr asked, "Will you remove these two parking spaces?" Alexander Richter, head of the Freiraumplanung department at the Greens Department, answered, "Yes." This response was met with displeasure from other residents, as there are no direct search results specifically addressing the response to concerns about the elimination of parking spaces in Wuppertal for urban redesign.
Nevertheless, authorities often highlight that removing parking spaces can help reduce congestion, promote cycling and walking, and improve the overall livability of the city. The redesign of the small park at the corner of Kölner Straße and Weststraße, which had been underused and used as a meeting point for alcohol drinkers, includes the addition of six new trees, wooden benches, two pieces of sports equipment, new grass, flowers, and shrubs.
The redesign also includes the installation of grass joints on the paths to better absorb rainfall and de-seal the 1,300 square meter area. Plans also include the creation of two additional entrances to make the area more visible and safer.
The operator of the nearby supermarket "Ada Market" sees potential in the new green space and jokingly asks, "Could I sell doner here?" SPD District Mayor Thomas Kring sees a "great opportunity" in the park redesign. Despite the loss of the two parking spaces, residents generally welcome the park redesign.
The repurposing of parking spaces in Wuppertal has been a contentious topic this summer, with 15 parking spaces affected by previous actions. The city's goal is to have less asphalt and more greenery, as 65 percent of the streets in Wuppertal are treeless. The redesign of this pocket park is part of a larger goal in Wuppertal to create a more livable, sustainable city.
Despite the controversy, Alexander Richter expresses his sadness after the meeting, stating, "I'm shocked that so many people are coming here because of two parking spaces." The redesign was approved on June 18, but the political consensus was not unanimous, with three CDU representatives voting against the draft. The transformation of this small park is a testament to the ongoing debate between urban development and the need for parking spaces in Wuppertal.
Resident Doris Mohr, still angered by a past parking dispute, has been vocal in her opposition to the pocket park project, distributing flyers stating, "We need parking spaces, not a designer drug den or a noble dog toilet area." Her concerns echo the sentiments of other residents who question the removal of parking spaces for home-and-garden urban redesign. On the other hand, proponents of the pocket park argue that it will help improve lifestyle by reducing congestion, promoting cycling, and enhancing the overall livability of Wuppertal.
