Volkswagen is turning existing car parks into places where local residents can meet and have fun, while still being accessible to cars. The intention has given rise to the first Volksparking, a pilot project in which a mobile basketball hoop automatically searches for empty parking spaces allowing local residents to use the parking as a play area. "It’s a combination of creativity, technology and social engagement", says Jean-Marc Ponteville, Volkswagen Belgium. "For those who wish, you are invited to suggest a suitable location for a new Volksparking."
Our cities are buzzing, and this means they are gradually becoming overcrowded leading to an acute lack of space. This is the problem that Volkswagen wants to address. Starting with parking lots, because they had, until recently, just one function, namely a place to park cars. With Volksparking all this could change. Soon urban car parks could look completely different and not be mono use, but have multiple functions. The concept? Hybrid parking spaces that can be used both by the car and by local residents. “Everything started from our core philosophy: innovation for the future,” says Jean-Marc Ponteville, Volkswagen Belgium. “The city will begin to look very different in the next few years. To keep them viable, we will have to work with our space in a creative way and look for future-oriented solutions. In this way, we can maximize and make the best use of our cities. Volksparking is a great start. It’s our first project, but one that gives a second life to our existing parking lots.”
MIT
“Together with the MIT Institute of Technology in Massachusetts, (http://web.mit.edu/), Volkswagen was looking for new ways to better use existing parking spaces. One of our first thoughts was to use the empty space,” Ponteville explains. "Because, no matter how coveted they are, if there is no car, they are virtually useless. It’s why we developed an automatic basketball ring that moves around the parking lot, looking for a free place. Thanks to an automated detection system, it can detect a free space and install the basketball hoop, turning an empty car parking space into a playing field.”
Unbranded
The prototype of such a parking is currently on display in Ostend, Belgium. There the Oesterbank Car Park has been equipped with an automated basketball ring. The installation is the work of the Dutch company, Unbranded. They were responsible for the development of the idea. “This concept is unique in the world,” says Daan Van Oene, from Unbranded. “Technically, an automated basketball ring is no easy task, and this means we are still finding ways to optimize the detection system. Indeed, our team remains on stand-by, if needed, to tune the system. Security too was an important aspect of the new car park. The basketball hoop has been fitted with custom-made nets to protect the other cars on the lot,” says a spokesperson from Unbranded. “While, we believe in the goodwill of the local neighborhood, we will be keep a watchful eye on the installation. It’s a positive project, and it would be a shame if it stopped.”
via: www.volksparking.be
Creative Credits:
Advertising Agency: DDB, Brussels
Creative Directors: Peter Ampe & Odin Saillé
Concept Creation: Peter Ampe
Copy & Art Direction: Rom&John
FR copy: Jonathan D'Oultremont
Strategy: Dominique Poncin & Maarten Van Daele
Account team: Sylvie De Couvreur, Silvie Erzeel, Filiz Temur & Anneleen Vande Voorde
Digital Production: Stefanie Warreyn & Maarten Breda
Graphic designer website: Sven Verfaille
Development website: Christophe Gesquière
Production company: Geronimo
Director: Jan Boon
Producer: Mathias Kerner
PR: Kenn Van Lijsebeth & Jean-Marc Ponteville
Studio: Sebastien Tirot, France Cleves, Benjamin Hiffe & Adam Kozlowski
Activatie bureau (persmoment): Lapin Quotidien