Vertical cities and neighborhood parking garages

Several urban planning concepts are already available for new buildings in the cities of the future. The division of urban spaces into individual neighborhoods and the “vertical city” are two exciting examples.

The city of tomorrow will have a stronger focus on neighborhoods, with a more people-friendly and environmentally friendly mix of living, working, local supply, social hubs, services, and more. So, it makes sense that the complex field of mobility and logistics planning should also be considered in modern neighborhood development.

We are confident that our high-rise parking solutions are perfect for neighborhoods or cities where excavation is very costly. The digitalization of parking management and of the search for parking spaces is also advancing at a rapid pace. Our modern, interconnected world demands novel approaches and solutions to parking management, not least in the interests of convenience and sustainability.

Vertical City

Intelligent parking solutions for the city of the future

In this era of rapid urbanization and limited space in metropolitan areas, the concept of vertical cities is becoming increasingly appealing. These innovative high-rise developments combine living, working, shopping, and leisure in a single, sustainably designed skyscraper. Vertical greening systems, smart architecture, and multifunctional spaces create livable, efficient, and environmentally friendly urban landscapes. Vertical cities offer a solution to the growing demands on space in major cities while also creating more room for nature and community, striking the perfect balance between urbanism and sustainability.

 

Opportunities offered by vertical cities

The vertical city offers numerous opportunities for the future of urban living. Here are some of the main advantages:

Space savings and efficient use of space

The vertical design uses less valuable floor space, leaving more room for parks, pedestrian zones, and public areas. In this way, cities can be densified without sacrificing quality of life.

Sustainability and environmental protection

Vertical cities focus on greening, renewable energies, and innovative water and waste management systems. Vertical gardens improve the urban climate, reduce CO₂, and promote biodiversity.

Shorter distances and less traffic

Integrating spaces for living, working, shopping, and leisure within a single building reduces commuting times and minimizes traffic, which not only saves time, but also reduces emissions.

Quality of life and social interaction

Communal areas, cultural establishments, and recreation zones create new social meeting places. Vertical cities promote a connected and active society.

Economic stimuli and innovation

The mix of commercial, retail, and residential use creates dynamic economic centers that attract start-ups, creative professionals, and companies. These are great places to test and integrate new technologies for smart cities. Vertical cities are more than just futuristic skyscrapers; they are instrumental in creating sustainable, livable, and future-proof cities.

Automatic parking systems as a game changer for vertical cities

In vertical cities, living, working, and leisure unite in a single high-rise complex. Space-saving and intelligent mobility solutions are essential to ensure that the limited space is used efficiently. Automatic parking systems play a vital role in this regard, helping to create minimalist and sustainable parking spaces without sacrificing valuable space for roads or parking garages.

How automatic parking systems optimize vertical cities

Maximum space efficiency

In vertical cities, every square meter counts, and automatic parking systems reduce space requirements significantly, leaving more room for green spaces, homes, or work areas.

Parking decks and underground car parks become redundant as cars can be stacked and parked automatically.

Seamless integration into high-rise structures

Automatic parking systems can be integrated into the architecture of a skyscraper, for example, as vertical or underground parking solutions with direct access to the building amenities.

They make it possible to have a car-free ground floor zone that can be used for pedestrians, businesses, and recreation.

Sustainability and smart city integration

Reduced CO₂ emissions, as there is no need to search for parking spaces. Energy-efficient lift systems and photovoltaic technology for sustainable operation. Integration of charging stations for electric vehicles and car-sharing hubs for a modern mobility infrastructure.

Automatic parking systems enable intelligent, space-saving, and sustainable use of parking space in vertical cities. They reduce space consumption, improve air quality, and increase quality of life in densely developed urban areas.

 

Successful projects

Chapultepec Uno

In Mexico City, everyday life is a challenge due to air pollution, light pollution, earthquakes, and congested roads—not to mention the sheer size of this metropolis of 22 million people. Living and parking space are in short supply. The new Chapultepec Uno tower houses offices, apartments, and rooms belonging to the Ritz Carlton luxury hotel chain. The luxury development marks the boundary between megacity and oasis of calm.

Visitors who ascend to the 60th floor and stroll to the heliport are greeted by spectacular views across the Bosque de Chapultepec—Mexico City’s equivalent to Central Park. The interior of the new skyscraper features exquisite Turkish marble and black granite walls, which emphasize the building’s air of contemporary nonchalance. Most unexpected is the sense of tranquility. The noise of the vibrant surroundings is completely shut out. The double-shell glazed facade with internally circulating air also ensures that no thermal energy is lost.
In addition, spacious terraces on each floor act as a buffer between the hustle and bustle of the city and the tranquility of this luxury property. The tower offers more than 4,000 square meters of terrace space in total.

Located on the iconic and historic Avenida Paseo de la Reforma, the building stands 241 meters tall. The avenue stretches 15 kilometers through the city and runs along the Bosque de Chapultepec, the “green lung” of Mexico City. The Castillo de Chapultepec castle, which towers over the park, was once a military academy. It also served as both an imperial and presidential residence. Today, the magnificent castle houses the Museo Nacional de História, the national history museum. Crowds flock here on Sundays, when admission is free.

More about the project

Torre Reforma

Mexico City

The world’s most innovative skyscraper—Torre Reforma—puts its trust in WÖHR. A fully automatic Multiparker 750 parking system provides 424 parking spaces on 12 levels above ground in the gigantic office tower.

Parking in the world’s most innovative skyscraper

Torre Reforma was designed by the Mexican architect L. Benjamín Romano and received the International Highrise Award in November 2018. The tower stands out thanks to its remarkable appearance, an exceptional structural design that contributes to seismic safety, high-quality materials, and innovative technology. The painstakingly planned details for the new skyscraper of superlatives also include the fully automatic parking system by WÖHR. On 12 levels above ground, two Multiparker 750 systems—like all WÖHR systems, designed with a specific project in mind—stack 424 parking spaces in a high-rack system.

With its triangular floor plan, angular shape reaching for the sky, and use as an office and commercial building with shops, a restaurant, and a fitness center, Torre Reforma stands out from other purely residential high-rise buildings around the world. The property also features a historic villa from the 1920s at ground-floor level, which was raised along with its entire floor space and integrated into the high-rise sculpture. To achieve this, the entire building was moved onto a heavy-duty concrete slab, temporarily moved, and then returned to its original location once the new foundations had been completed.

More about the project

Hamilton Scotts

Hamilton Scotts, Singapore: Multiparker 720 provides 116 parking spaces on 29 floors in luxury sky garages.

The parking solution chosen for the Hamilton Scotts building in Singapore, is a unique selling proposition for the property, with two elevated ensuite parking places in front of each apartment on 29 residential levels. For luxury car enthusiasts who want to keep a close eye on their vehicles, this is one of the main reasons for investing in an apartment.

With the fully automatic Multiparker 720 parking system from WÖHR, Ferraris and Lamborghinis can be parked smoothly and safely at a height of more than 100 m in the sky garage. While residents ride comfortably in the elevator to their apartment, the Multiparker quickly and reliably moves their car to one of the 29 residential levels.

 

More about the project

Neighborhood parking garage

The neighborhood parking garage - a sustainable mobility solution for modern cities

The neighborhood parking garage is an innovative solution for the efficient and sustainable use of parking space in urban areas. Instead of each apartment or each building having its own parking spaces, parking spaces are concentrated in central, shared parking parages. This creates more room for green areas, homes, and livable urban areas.

Conventional parking or fully automatic parking systems: Which solution is right for the city of the future?

What are the alternatives for improving the parking situation in densely built-up neighborhoods in the long term? In urban areas where space is at a premium, municipalities, property owners, and planners only have two realistic options:

  1. Conventional parking with standard parking lots, parking garages, or underground parking facilities, which take up a lot of space and are often used inefficiently.
  2. Fully automatic parking systems, which offer space-saving, efficient, and sustainable parking without wasting valuable urban space.

But which solution is the better choice for designing a city that is sustainable and livable? The following comparison shows the advantages and limitations of both approaches.

Opportunities offered by neighborhood parking garages

Neighborhood parking garages will make the city of the future more efficient, sustainable, and livable and will be a key aspect of smart, environmentally friendly urbanization:

Space savings and livable cities

By consolidating parking space, we can eliminate many above-ground parking spaces and make room for pedestrian zones, parks, or playgrounds. In this way, neighborhood parking garages support urban planning that puts people first.

Sustainability and climate protection

The elimination of sealed parking spaces promotes biodiversity, and green spaces can improve the urban climate. Integrated charging stations for e-mobility and sharing concepts promote sustainable mobility.

Multimodal mobility

A modern neighborhood parking garage offers more than just parking spaces: It can incorporate charging infrastructure, bicycle parking spaces, car-sharing stations, and even autonomous shuttle services to efficiently meet individual mobility needs.

Forward-looking urban development

The neighborhood parking garage concept supports cities in facilitating the transition to sustainable forms of mobility and creating an environment with fewer cars and a better quality of life in the long term.

Automatic parking systems as a key technology for neighborhood parking garages

Modern automatic parking systems have a key role to play in implementing efficient and sustainable neighborhood parking garages. They enable space-saving, resource-efficient, and future-oriented use of parking space that integrates seamlessly into urban mobility concepts.

How automatic parking systems optimize neighborhood parking garages

Space savings and higher capacity

Automatic parking systems allow more cars to be parked in the same amount of space. Compact, multi-level systems significantly reduce space requirements and valuable urban space is preserved for green areas, homes, or pedestrian zones.

Flexible integration of parking space

With fully automatic parking systems, parking spaces can be customized depending on the structural circumstances. For example, automatic parking systems can be arranged as towers in gaps between buildings or integrated under a building.

Sustainability and environmental friendliness

  • Fewer sealed surfaces thanks to compact design
  • Lower energy consumption due to optimized use of parking space
  • Integration of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles
  • Reduced light and noise emissions compared to conventional parking garages

Convenience and efficiency

Drivers no longer have to spend time looking for a parking space. An automatic system takes care of parking, saving time and reducing the amount of traffic searching for a parking space. This relieves congestion on roads and reduces emissions.

User-friendly location

Compared to normal neighborhood parking garages, which are designed as large central parking facilities, automatic parking systems can be installed at various locations, functioning as “hubs” in each street, for example. This means that residents are only ever a short distance away from their nearest hub and can park their car nearby.

Summary

Automatic parking systems make neighborhood parking garages more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and smarter. They contribute to sustainable urban redevelopment and help make urban spaces usable for people instead of cars.

Matching products from WÖHR

WÖHR Slimparker / Crossparker

When there is a lot of space in length but little space in width, the Slimparker 557 proves its advantages. For narrow strips between two buildings, this slim system requires a minimum installation width of just 2.60 m. The Crossparker 558 offers an extension of the slim Slimparker 557 in width.

More about Slimparker / Crossparker

WÖHR Multiparker

Everything is relative - but if you really need a lot of storage locations, it's best to use a system from this range. Storage and retrieval machines or shuttles move vehicles in all three axes of movement. The different variants meet a wide range of requirements, always with the aim of creating more space for even more vehicles by stacking vehicles next to and on top of each other in a kind of high-bay racking system.

More about Multiparker

WÖHR Parksafe

When “parking ideas” grow into the sky, one of these automatically controlled parking systems is most likely involved. Based on the principle of a rack, the vehicles are parked in compartments on the right and left. This creates a tower, a shaft or a tower/shaft combination - depending on the individual project requirements. WÖHR's Parksafe models feature a central lift that transports the cars fully automatically to a free shelf compartment, where they are stored safely against theft and vandalism.

More about Parksafes