Connecting urban space management in Omaha

How important is it to reclaim urban space like this in order to make cities more liveable?

Parking directly impacts how we move around our city and how we connect to jobs, community resources and our neighbours. Safe and plentiful parking enables people to participate in and benefit from commerce, which bolsters our city’s economy. Smart management of parking allows for more businesses to locate downtown, for more people to live there and for all of us to enjoy everything our downtown has to offer. As our city continues to grow, we are committed to creating a supportive environment for future parking and mobility innovations and opportunities.

What impact do you anticipate the introduction of ‘Smart Zones’ will have on city policymakers?

Thanks to the pilot, we’ll now be armed with data showing where and when delivery parking is needed most. This can help us implement permanent policies that can continue to provide a seamless downtown experience.

How does better kerb management help Omaha to achieve broader policy goals?

In Omaha, as in many communities, we are seeing a transformation of the kerb; it’s no longer for just parking cars. The kerb is becoming a dynamic space where goods and services are being delivered and picked up. We are focused on equitable, accessible and modern transportation to improve our quality of life and bolster our economic strength. This strategy connects people, opportunities and communities. We have a strong regional transportation strategy that aims to provide more equitable access to employment and education, attract and retain top talent and support continued economic growth throughout the region. A vibrant urban core, accessible through many modes of transportation, is an essential part of attracting talent and growing our economy.

What opportunities does more dynamic kerb management introduce for mobility in Omaha?

We know that much of our urban mobility touches the kerb, and we know how essential mobility is to both our economy and the quality of life of our residents. The better we can manage parking of all types, the better our urban core will be. The Coord app will provide numbers and usage so we can see where and when areas are in high demand and work to alleviate those issues. When we have a strong downtown, it can be a major stimulator for economic growth, revenue and jobs for our city.

What comes next for this project? Will Smart Zones be rolled out further across the city?

Nothing has been decided as of yet, but in the long-term, the city is looking into the possibility of expanding the number of Smart Zones based on our data and evaluating if a similar concept would benefit ride-share drivers.