Key events

Inaugural symposium

In June 2016, we invited our shareholders, banks, management, and strategic partners to our inaugural symposium entitled ‘The Future of Paid Parking’ held at the Eindhoven University of Technology Automotive Campus in Helmond, the Netherlands.

The aim was to generate discussion and ideas on the future of paid parking based on presentations given by thought leaders from various parts of the automotive and mobility sectors.

There were four informative and inspiring presentations to stimulate creative thinking on four themes:

• Carlo van de Weijer (TU Eindhoven & TomTom) on behaviour of the informed traveller,
• George Gelauff (Knowledge Institute on Mobility) on what we can expect from intelligent cars (AVs),
• Joachim Hauser (BMW Park Now) on driving with your smartphone and how the Internet of Things (IoT) and car of the future will interact,
• Giuliano Mingardo (Erasmus University Rotterdam) on the role of municipalities and the retail sector in the future of parking.

It became clear that the future of paid parking is not only about technology, it's also about society. Meaning that in order to prepare ourselves for the future, we need to consider a number of scenarios as the impacts of technological developments and societal behaviour are diverse and influence eac hother.

But one thing is certain, progress is more sustainable if we interact with each other, it is all about partnerships.

Handelsbeurs

A monumental plan

The Handelsbeurs in Antwerp is the oldest stock-exchange building in the world, 'the mother of all stock-exchanges'. Early 2016, Q-Park Belgium won the Handelsbeurs tender and on Monday 23 May renovation work commenced in Antwerp.

If everything goes according to plan, the project will be completed by the end of 2018. From that time onwards, the brand new car park and the Handelsbeurs will be open to the general public.

Following the renovation, the Handelsbeurs will again fulfil a public role, just as in the past. The ground floor will become a pedestrian route and meeting area where events can be held in a unique setting. The new three-layer underground parking facility will offer space to approximately 293 cars and 125 bicycles.

This enchanting location is flexible and versatile and will surprise visitors repeatedly with its numerous unique elements, from the pillars and the arched vaults to the refurbished 19th century dealing rooms. All this in the heart of Antwerp without any worries about parking because the location will offer ample parking space and is easily accessible.

Handelsbeurs - safe, smart and convenient floorplan

Zuiderdokken

From 2019, Q-Park Belgium will operate underground parking spaces for 2,000 cars and 300 bicycles in two car parks. Antwerp's Zuiderdokken, the southern docks, have been filled in as part of a programme to revitalise this part of the city.

The Gedempte Zuiderdokken area

Q‑Park's plan was chosen because of the respect shown for the historical nature of the docks, the integration with the above-ground developments, and its strong reputation as parking company.

Impression underground car park Gedempte Zuiderdokken with the old quay walls exposed at level -1

The two car parks will be part of the eleven Park + Walk locations that the city of Antwerp is planning on the loop formed by the streets with names ending in ‘kaai’ and ‘lei’. These will provide easily accessible places to park at the edge of the inner city for residents, commuters and visitors to the city of Antwerp. From there they will be encouraged to visit the pedestrian-friendly city centre.

‘kaai’ and ‘lei’ loop with 11 Park + Walk locations

Hasselt

On 1 December 2016 Q-Park acquired a family-owned parking company in Hasselt, Belgium.

We will operate the Dusartplein, Molenpoort, Parking TT (TweeTorenwijk) and Luikerpoort car parks in Hasselt. And in Genk we will add the Shopping 1 car park to the Q-Park Stadsplein and St-Martinus parking facilities.

Q-Park car parks in Hasselt – Dusartplein, Molenpoort, Parking TT (TweeTorenwijk) and Luikerpoort

This concerns a total of 3,215 parking spaces: 1,965 in Hasselt and 1,250 in Genk. In the coming years, we will invest in the car parks and introduce the Q-Park house style.

Toulon

Following a public service concession tender, Q-Park was awarded a contract by the City of Toulon.

The City of Toulon needed to improve its car parks and upgrade its facilities to improve the flow of traffic in the city centre and to its car parks, to provide a high level of safety, and to comply with new regulations.

Q-Park will be responsible for upgrading and operating 10 of the city centre's 12 car parks, consisting of 6,654 parking spaces in the city centre. The concession contract starts as of 1 January 2017 and is for 12 years. It covers the following car parks:

• Liberté, 721 spaces
• Place d’Armes, 663 spaces
• La Rode Colibri, 441 spaces
• Porte d’Italie, 605 spaces
• Pont du Las-Delaune, 477 spaces
• Gare Albert 1^er, 347 spaces
• Peiresc, 590 spaces
• Mayol, 1408 spaces
• Facultés, 970 spaces
• Lafayette, 432 spaces

The ‘PARKING TOULON’ brand

The creation of a specific brand identity for the car parks was an initiative of the City of Toulon. Q-Park called upon urban planner Georges Verney-Carron and the artist Mengzhi Zheng to create a visual identity inspired by the city's coat of arms and heritage.