Santiago's Parking Scarcity Becomes an Acute Problem

The scarcity of public parking spaces in Santiago continues to increase and has become a real headache for both authorities and residents and vehicle owners, who daily face difficulties finding available spaces in commercial and central areas. Meanwhile, the lack of parking remains a latent problem in the city, affecting mobility, commerce, and the quality of life of its inhabitants, who await concrete answers and effective actions to alleviate this situation that worsens over time. In this context, authorities related to urban planning recognize that the issue represents a growing challenge and that comprehensive solutions are required, such as the development of new spaces, the regulation of existing parking lots, and increased enforcement to prevent abuses. Santiago mayor Erick Jaén said that a new decree now empowers the city to lease these public parking spaces for a certain period. 'There are places where parking should be public, but now they are reserved or rented.' According to some citizens consulted, population growth and the increase in the number of vehicles have intensified this problem, making the lack of proper planning for public parking increasingly evident. The situation impacts not only those residing in the city but also visitors who come for work, business, or service-related reasons. 'That complicates everything, especially during peak hours,' said Ernesto Almanza, a resident affected by the situation. This practice, according to those reporting it, significantly reduces the available options and generates discontent among drivers and pedestrians who feel inconvenienced.