Santa Cruz Residents Petition Against Removal of Street Parking Amid Shortage Concerns
The El Perenquén neighborhood association has launched a petition in Santa Cruz de Tenerife demanding a halt to street parking removals, citing a lack of transparency and insufficient public transport alternatives.
Public space management in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is back in the spotlight following a campaign by the El Perenquén neighborhood association. The group has launched a petition on Change.org to stop the removal of street parking, arguing that the city is cutting spaces without providing transparency or a viable alternative travel plan.
The core issue is a severe shortage of parking, which the association estimates at over 20,000 spaces across the city. This lack of public parking forces drivers to use private facilities, which residents say creates a financial burden for local workers and discourages people from visiting city-center businesses.
Silvia Barrera, president of the association, says the city is removing parking without first improving public transport to handle the change. She argues that the council’s current mobility policies do not reflect the reality of residents' needs. The association is now demanding that the City Council immediately pause the removal of parking spaces, develop a comprehensive mobility strategy, and create new parking options.
The petition, which is already gaining signatures, highlights the growing friction between the city’s push for sustainable, pedestrian-friendly streets and the practical needs of those who live and work there. The situation in Santa Cruz serves as a reminder of the challenges cities face when trying to modernize urban spaces without first reaching a consensus with the people most affected by these changes.