Roads around Xintiandi will be set aside for parking at night as part of the Luwan District government's plans to ease parking problems.

The government wants to have 47,000 parking spaces by 2020.

There is increasing parking pressure in Luwan District, with Xintiandi, Huaihai Road and Ruijin Hospital attracting thousands of visitors every day.

Currently there are about 27,800 parking spaces in the district but studies estimate that the area needs at least 14,000 more, officials with the district construction and transportation commission said.

Studies show illegal parking on roads near Xintiandi is very common, especially in the evening.

The government plans to build 19,200 parking spaces in the next 12 years to bring the total available to 47,000.

Different kinds of parking will be organized. Officials said entertainment areas such as bars and cinemas around Xintiandi usually need parking from 8pm to 5am. They want to set up parking spaces on roads near Xintiandi at night with close supervision to ensure that daytime traffic flows are not affected.

The officials also want parking spaces on roads near schools in the district so parents can pick their children up from school.

Signs will be put up north of Fuxing Road to help drivers learn about all the new parking zones.

(Shanghai Daily December 15, 2008)