Smart parking management in cities: Insights from the CIVINET Czech and Slovak Republics conference
Image by CIVINET Czech and Slovak Republics, Transport Research Centre
How can cities design parking policies that are effective, fair and sustainable?
This question was at the heart of the CIVINET Czech and Slovak Republics conference, held on 6 November 2025 in Žilina. The event, entitled“Parking solutions in cities – benefits, experiences and examples from practice,” brought together representatives of cities, mobility experts, consultants, researchers, and decision-makers to exchange knowledge and practical experience.
Nearly 60 participants attended the conference, which was organised by the CIVINET Czech and Slovak Republics network in cooperation with the Transport Research Centre (CDV), CityOne, and the City of Žilina, which hosted the full-day programme.
From theory to practice: how to manage parking effectively
Participants agreed that parking policy is not only about building new infrastructure – it is primarily about strategy, timing, and communication. A key takeaway was that building a parking garage is not always the most effective solution. Before investing in new infrastructure, cities should analyse the situation, identify root causes, and implement a set of low-cost measures. Only if these prove insufficient should large-scale investments follow.
Another important point was that rules and fees must be set correctly from the very beginning. Once introduced, they are difficult to change later, especially when it comes to parking charges. This is why clear communication with the public and explaining the reasons, goals, and benefits, is essential.
Speakers also highlighted the need to offer alternatives, both in parking options and travel behaviour. Well-functioning public transport, safe walking and cycling routes, and shared mobility services are vital parts of a balanced urban mobility system.
Sharing experiences and applying smart solutions
The conference featured case studies from Žilina, Bratislava, Třinec, and Jihlava, complemented by examples from other European cities. Discussions covered the importance of data for developing parking policy, data collection methods, and how to use them effectively in line with EU legislation. Participants also explored tools and projects that support cities in planning and managing parking, such as ParkPAD, NXTLVLparking, and SPINE. These initiatives help local authorities make informed decisions and contribute to more efficient and sustainable urban mobility.
In the afternoon, two parallel roundtables were held – one for municipal decision-makers and another for technical staff and mobility officers. Discussions focused on the objectives and principles of parking policy, the role of regulation, and coordination with national frameworks. Participants also worked on practical scenarios – from addressing parking shortages to improving internal and public communication strategies.
A key conclusion was that real progress happens when technical experts and decision-makers work side by side, combining knowledge, policy, and practice.
The CIVINET Czech and Slovak Republics network connects cities, experts, and institutions that share experiences and work together towards more sustainable urban mobility.
The Žilina conference, marking the 11th annual CIVINET Czech and Slovak Republics conference, reaffirmed the value of peer learning and practical collaboration as tools to help cities make smarter, more effective mobility decisions.
Author: CIVINET Czech and Slovak Republics
