Amsterdam recently opens up a large underwater bicycle parking garage at the Centraal Station. It is a structure that is able to hold up to 6,300 personal bicycles and 700 more for bike shares. Overall, the lot can expand to 11,000 bicycles when it will open up its second garage in February.
This project has taken over the course of four years and although it may seem far-fetched for those outside of the Netherlands, it is very normal and common for Dutch cities as bicycles are the main form of transportation. To build the lot, workers had to drain the water in the front of the station first before they are able to lay down the garage floor and install all of the large columns and then support the roof that is eventually submerged.
Image Credit: Amsterdam Centraal Station
What's Driving This Trend
- Underwater Parking Garages
- The demand for parking spaces in urban areas is increasing, and underwater parking garages provide an innovative solution for cities with limited space.
- Bicycle Infrastructure
- There is an opportunity to invest and expand bicycle infrastructure in congested cities to encourage the use of bicycles as a sustainable form of transportation.
- Sustainable Transportation
- The development of bicycle-friendly infrastructure provides a pathway towards sustainable transportation, reducing the need for carbon-emitting modes of transit.
Who This Affects Most
- Construction
- The construction industry can explore the possibilities of building underwater structures and expand their portfolio by developing innovative parking solutions for urban areas.
- Transportation
- The transportation industry can expand its services by providing secure and convenient bicycle storage solutions in congested areas and promote sustainable modes of transit.
- Urban Planning
- Urban planners can integrate bicycle infrastructure into city designs and encourage the development of sustainable transportation systems, improving quality of life for residents.
