Of all the emissions caused by traditional cars, an estimated 30% is emitted after the journey is over – cars emit let out 8 million metric tons of CO2 annually while searching for parking. This issue is ubiquitous across the world’s cities, but for Shimla, India, local geography and historic heritage make it particularly acute. Now, through GCoM’s Business Matchmaking initiative, the city has found a European business that can offer a solution to its parking challenges.
An Uphill Battle
Shimla is the capital of India’s Himachal Pradesh State. Its Himalayan location, which affords its residents a unique climate and breathtaking vistas, comes with a number of sustainability challenges. Parking is high on the list, as steep and narrow streets make it difficult, and widening them can come at a cost to natural and cultural heritage. The city can accommodate around 20,000 vehicles, yet frequently finds itself hosting far more, especially during peak tourist seasons.
This results in a daily battle against traffic and a desperate hunt for parking spaces. Newly expanded roads intended to ease congestion have quickly turned into makeshift parking lots, undermining the very purpose of the expansions and contributing to persistent traffic jams.
As one part of its response, the Municipal Corporation has announced plans to construct raised steel parking lots across all 34 wards. These structures will provide organized parking where the demand is highest, particularly in tourist-heavy or high-traffic zones.
However, even with this extra availability, the municipality will need to use all the parking it has available much more efficiently if it is to tackle the root of the issue. With this need in hand, the city’s representatives engaged with GCoM’s Business Matchmaking initiative. This initiative pairs global cities with sustainability challenges with European companies that have developed complimentary solutions. There, with the French company ‘Cocoparks,’ Shimla found exactly what it was looking for.
Set and Match
This partnership represents one more step forward for GCoM’s Business Matchmaking programme, an initiative that has so far seen 50 global cities and 25 European companies coming to understand the complementarity of each other’s challenges and solutions in delivering sustainable and liveable cities. After successful events in Panama, Sau Paulo and Kathmandu, the next large-scale Business Matchmaking event is set to take place at the Barcelona Smart Cities World Expo in November, where GCoM will facilitate the participation of a group of its signatory cities from around the world.
“We are proud to see such projects emerge in the GCoM alliance,” said Piero Remitti, Co-Managing Director of GCoM. “GCoM signatory cities have spent the past years developing ambitious climate action plans and now is the time for implementation. This project between Shimla City and Cocoparks is an inspiring example and demonstrates how businesses can actively contribute to reaching cities’ climate goals.”
To secure the perfect match, all engaged cities share their top challenges with the GCoM Secretariat through interviews, surveys and workshops. GCoM’s experts then use an open process to engage innovative European companies that can offer solutions targeted to these issues. The cooperation between Cocoparks and Shimla was facilitated by this GCoM initiative, funded by the European Union, and implemented with the strong support of ICLEI South Asia, AIILSG and NIUA.
Smart Parking
Shimla, in collaboration with Cocoparks, is set to implement a smart parking solution that could very well be the blueprint for other cities facing similar challenges. The city hopes to make the most out of its existing parking offer while also collecting valuable traffic data than can help it make informed investments in sustainable mobility going forward.
“We are excited to collaborate with Cocoparks on this groundbreaking initiative,” said Mr Kumar Bhupender, Commissioner of Shimla. “The implementation of smart parking technology aligns perfectly with our vision of creating a smarter and more sustainable city. This project will not only improve traffic management but also contribute to the overall economic and environmental well-being of Shimla. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this technology will have on our community.”
The plan involves the installation of ‘Cocospots’ – small, AI-powered detectors that are easily mounted on existing urban infrastructure like lampposts. These devices are designed to monitor parking spaces in real-time, providing data that can be used to optimize parking and reduce time spent searching for a spot.
A centralized platform will allow for real-time monitoring and management of parking facilities across the city. The platform will be accessible to both the municipal authorities and the public via a mobile app, enabling residents and tourists alike to find available parking spots quickly and efficiently.
“We are thrilled to launch this international pilot project in the beautiful city of Shimla,” said Raphael Jatteau, Founder and CEO of Cocoparks. “By providing real-time information on parking availability, we aim to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce emissions, and enhance the overall urban experience for residents and visitors. We are confident that this project will set a precedent for smart parking solutions worldwide.”