Research Findings: Parking Policy and CO₂ Impact
Recent studies in Belgium and abroad show that targeted parking policies can help reduce emissions.
Digital reservation systems make better use of existing parking stock, which in turn avoids the need for new parking infrastructure and the associated construction emissions.
Dynamic Pricing and Occupancy Control
Cities such as Antwerp and Ghent are experimenting with dynamic parking tariffs. By linking prices to demand, search traffic decreases and occupancy rates become more balanced.
Tourist cities like Bruges and Ostend apply similar approaches during peak holiday periods to prevent congestion.
Electric Mobility and Charging Infrastructure
An increasing share of Flemish parking facilities includes charging points for electric vehicles.
In Flanders, charging point requirements apply to new buildings or major renovations since 11 March 2021. For existing non-residential buildings with more than 20 parking spaces, at least two charging points will be mandatory from 1 January 2025.
SparkSpot helps drivers by clearly marking which spaces include EV chargers, making sustainable choices easier.
Belgian Context: Regulation and Infrastructure
Belgium is gradually modernising its parking regulations as part of the Flemish climate plan.
Beyond the charging point obligations, many cities are expanding blue zones to encourage rotation and reduce long-term parking in central areas.
Ghent, for example, sometimes links resident permits to vehicle emission levels.
Peer-to-peer platforms like SparkSpot complement this policy by unlocking unused private driveways and garages — improving capacity without building new paved areas.
How Smart Parking Management Reduces Emissions
Advance Reservations Cut Search Traffic
When drivers can reserve a parking space in advance through SparkSpot, they no longer need to drive randomly through the city.
This lowers fuel use and CO₂ output. In cities like Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges, SparkSpot users report average time savings of 10–20 minutes per trip — small per driver, but significant when aggregated across thousands of vehicles.
Using Existing Parking More Efficiently
Peer-to-peer parking enables homeowners and businesses to rent out unused driveways or private lots.
SparkSpot operates with a 20 % commission (excl. VAT) per confirmed booking. This model reduces the need for new construction and the associated material and energy footprint.
Supporting Multimodal Travel
Smart parking connects naturally with sustainable transport. Drivers can park at the city’s edge and switch to tram, bus or bicycle.
Coastal cities such as Ostend and Blankenberge already link parking areas with the coastal tram network.
This park-then-ride approach lowers total trip emissions and improves mobility efficiency.
Case Study: SparkSpot and Peer-to-Peer Parking
SparkSpot demonstrates how digital technology can generate measurable environmental benefits.
By directly connecting owners and drivers, the platform maximises use of existing infrastructure.
Real Environmental Effects
Studies of comparable systems suggest that coordinated digital parking can reduce CO₂ emissions per trip by tens of percent, depending on traffic conditions.
Exact values vary, but the direction is clear: less cruising equals less pollution.
Social and Economic Benefits
Beyond emissions, the model brings local value.
Owners earn income from unused space; visitors find affordable, well-located parking.
Direct communication and secure payments ensure transparency and trust — key ingredients for a sustainable ecosystem.
Policy Lessons and Future Directions
Integrating Policy and Technology
Research shows that real CO₂ reduction from parking management requires cooperation between local governments and technology providers.
Sharing data and updating regulations can make collaboration with platforms like SparkSpot more effective.
Incentives and Behavioural Change
Cities can offer lower rates for EV users or tax benefits for shared parking.
Such incentives encourage behavioural change among both drivers and property owners without heavy infrastructure costs.
Need for Long-Term Research
Further studies are needed to measure long-term effects of digital parking management in Flemish cities — including integration with public transport, social equity and the impact of emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles.
A consistent method to quantify CO₂ savings from parking management would make policy evaluation more transparent and comparable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do digital parking platforms reduce CO₂ emissions?
They limit unnecessary driving and cruising, directly lowering fuel use and emissions.
Many platforms, including SparkSpot, also promote electric mobility by showing and reserving EV-charging spots.
How does peer-to-peer parking support sustainability?
It makes existing private spaces publicly usable, avoiding the construction of new car parks.
This saves materials, land and energy, and cuts the number of vehicles circulating in search of parking.
How can cities use technology to tackle search traffic?
By sharing real-time parking data and applying demand-based pricing, cities can guide drivers to available spaces and balance occupancy.
Cooperation with digital platforms such as SparkSpot enables continuous monitoring and optimisation of emissions and flow.
Conclusion: Parking as a Lever for Climate Goals
Smart parking management is not just about convenience; it is a practical lever for reducing urban CO₂ emissions.
When technology, policy and citizens work together, cities can drastically cut search traffic and improve air quality.
SparkSpot illustrates how innovation at street level can make a real difference — saving time, energy and space while supporting a more sustainable, liveable Flanders.
