Kadernota Parkeren Rijswijk 2015 – 2025 – Strategic Parking Policy Framework
The Kadernota Parkeren Rijswijk 2015 – 2025 is the central strategic document governing parking policy within the municipality of Rijswijk, Netherlands. Adopted by the municipal council on September 29, 2015, the document derives its legal authority from Article 2.1 of the Algemene wet bestuursrecht, which empowers the Council to establish general policy frameworks. This framework replaces the previous policy, Balans tussen functies (2000), and provides a ten-year vision focused on balancing accessibility, quality of life, and economic vitality. It serves as the basis for subsequent operational documents including the Parkeerverordening (Parking Ordinance) and the Parkeerbelastingverordening (Parking Tax Ordinance).
The regulatory scope of the document encompasses all public areas within the municipality, with specific emphasis on high-pressure zones such as Oud-Rijswijk and the surroundings of the In de Bogaard shopping center. It establishes the criteria for implementing parking regulations, ranging from vergunningparkeren (permit-only parking) to fiscaal parkeren (fiscal paid parking) and blauwe zones (blue zones). The document defines critical management parameters such as the 90% occupancy threshold, the principle of Parkeren op eigen terrein (POET), and the transition toward digital enforcement. Structured into five main chapters, it addresses policy frameworks, parking systems, service delivery, and communication strategies, supplemented by financial and technical appendices.
This framework provides architects, developers, and property owners with the necessary standards for parking capacity and permit eligibility. By outlining the municipality's preference for fiscal regulation and digital service delivery, the document clarifies the requirements for both existing residential areas and new development projects.
Target Group Prioritization
The policy designates priority users based on the functional characteristics of a specific area to ensure an efficient distribution of scarce public space.
- Residential Areas: Priority is given to residents and their visitors. The policy aims to allow residents to park at least one car in the vicinity of their home.
- Shopping Centers: Visitors and customers are prioritized to support economic vitality, while employees are categorized as long-term parkers and directed to specific locations.
- Mixed-Use Areas: Regulation is designed to facilitate dubbelgebruik (shared use), where different target groups utilize the same spaces at different times of the day.
- Special Groups: Specific rules are established for healthcare providers, informal caregivers (mantelzorgers), and disabled persons.
Parking Pressure and Regulation Thresholds
Rijswijk employs an objective measure of parking occupancy to determine when regulatory intervention is necessary.
- 90% Threshold: An occupancy rate of 90% or higher is defined as a problematic level of parking pressure.
- Regulation Preference: When the 90% threshold is reached, the municipality prioritizes parkeerregulering (regulation) over expanding physical parking capacity.
- Support Requirement: Regulation is typically only introduced when a majority of stakeholders within a designated area support the measure through a draagvlakmeting (support survey).
- Waterbedeffect: The policy acknowledges the displacement of parking pressure to adjacent unregulated areas and utilizes logical boundaries like railways or waterways to define regulation zones.
Parking on Private Property (POET)
The principle of Parkeren op eigen terrein (POET) is a central requirement for both new developments and existing residents to minimize the burden on public space.
- Permit Restrictions: Residents with access to private parking facilities (garages, carports, or driveways) are ineligible for public parking permits for the number of vehicles that can be accommodated on their own property.
- New Construction: For new builds, extensions, or functional changes, the Nota Parkeernormen (Parking Standards Note) applies, requiring the realization of parking needs on private property.
- Exemptions: Developers may only deviate from private parking requirements in exceptional cases with valid substantiation, often involving a financial contribution to a mobility fund.
Parking Systems and Enforcement
The document evaluates different parking regimes and establishes a clear preference for fiscal regulation.
- Fiscaal Parkeren: Preferred for its flexibility, allowing for progressive tariffs and efficient management of different target groups via parking taxes.
- Blauwe Zone: Utilizes a parking disc for time-limited parking; noted for its lack of revenue and enforcement challenges regarding 'disc turning'.
- Digitalization: The municipality aims for a paperless system using vignetloos permits linked to license plates, supported by scanauto technology for enforcement.
- Enforcement: Handled by Buitengewoon Opsporingsambtenaren (BOAs), focusing on license plate registration and objective verification of payment or permit status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum allowable parking pressure in Rijswijk?
The municipality considers a parking pressure (occupancy rate) of 90% or higher as a problem that justifies the investigation of regulatory measures.
Can I get a parking permit if I have a private garage or driveway?
No, residents with a private parking facility are not eligible for a public parking permit for the number of cars that can be parked on their own property.
Which target group has priority in the In de Bogaard area?
In shopping centers like In de Bogaard, the priority is given to visitors and customers to support the economic vitality of the district.
Why does Rijswijk prefer fiscal parking over blue zones?
Fiscal parking offers more flexibility in steering target groups through tariffs and is more cost-effective as revenues from parking taxes help cover management and enforcement costs.
What happens if parking pressure shifts to an adjacent unregulated street?
This is known as the 'waterbedeffect'. The municipality tries to prevent this by choosing clear, logical boundaries for regulation zones, such as main roads or water features.
How does the municipality determine if a new neighborhood wants parking regulation?
The municipality conducts a 'draagvlakmeting' (support survey), and regulation is generally only introduced if a majority of the stakeholders in the area choose it.
Will parking permits still be issued as physical paper stickers?
The policy moves toward full digitalization, where permits are linked to license plates (vignetloos) and managed through a digital portal, removing the need for physical stickers.
What is the role of the BOA in parking management?
Buitengewoon Opsporingsambtenaren (BOAs) are responsible for enforcement, checking license plates against the digital permit and payment database.
