On the acceptability of parking policy: Replacing on-street parking with space for street life, cycling, and vegetation in central Copenhagen

This study explores public acceptability of transforming on-street parking into space for street life, cycling, and vegetation, using a real-world intervention in the city center of Copenhagen as a case. Data were collected via a survey (N = 3869) with voluntary participants from the municipality's citizen panel and car users of the city center. The results suggest that a large majority of the citizen panel supported the imminent removal of on-street parking, and its replacement with space for street life, cycling, and vegetation. Acceptability is significantly influenced by parking behavior, car dependence, and car-related attitudes. Permanent or frequent users of on-street parking and individuals with high car dependence, preference for car-based transport, or intentions to increase car use are likely to express lower support. Acceptability is also formed by the place of residence. Despite being offered access to a nearby parking garage without additional cost, residents of the city center show lower support as they are the ones directly affected, whereas residents of nearby neighborhoods with possibly low car dependence and good access to the city center are more supportive. Travel satisfaction also plays a role, with lower satisfaction with traveling to the city center linked to reduced acceptability. Sociodemographic factors shape acceptability: older age, health issues or disabilities, living with children, and higher income relate to lower acceptability, whereas female gender and tertiary education are linked to higher acceptability. These findings shed light on behavioral, attitudinal, spatial, and sociodemographic factors that can help guide successful urban planning and transport policies.