Non-University members using University parking spaces were to be discouraged. University members who come with a car were to be able to find a parking space at all times without having to search extensively. As compensation, the parking spaces were to cost a fee - at conditions that the University defined itself.
The Master Plan 2030 for Construction and Mobility also originally planned parking fees as part of its measures. After strong protests, the President and Chancellor put the project on hold in the winter of 2017.
As part of the Master Plan, a mobility plan defined a series of measures to promote alternatives to cars and make the campus more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists.
In July 2017, the President and Chancellor started a round table to develop a Hohenheim plan for parking space management. Representatives from the students and staff were included as well as the Dean’s Offices of the three Faculties, the Student Services, and other interest representatives.
The management of the state’s own Parkraum-Gesellschaft BW mbH was also at the table. “At that time, we would have been able to set down the conditions for parking space management ourselves,” said the President in retrospect. “At a staff meeting in December 2017, however, it became clear that the Staff Council would not agree to parking space management. In light of that, the President and Chancellor decided not to pursue this part of the mobility plan.”
The University Management was then surprised on 6 March 2018. On that day, the state government decided to introduce parking fees at all state universities.
In contrast to the initial attempt, this time the University cannot set the conditions itself: The state government’s decision is binding. The University cannot set its own conditions, it can only make suggestions. PBW will decide whether and how these will be implemented.
Written on: 17 October 2018
