The central urban area of Chengdu has launched the construction of its first batch of 41 smart, multi-level parking facilities.

According to the Chengdu Municipal Housing and Urban–Rural Development Bureau, the city has launched the first batch of 41 smart, multi‑level parking facilities (integrated complexes) in its central urban area, which are expected to add no fewer than 19,000 public parking spaces. To date, 32 of these 41 projects have commenced construction; upon completion, they will provide approximately 14,000 additional parking spaces. Looking ahead, Chengdu also plans to pilot the construction of underground parking garages at newly built primary and secondary schools, further expanding public parking capacity.

How do you use the smart multi‑level parking garage? Foldable space, one‑tap parking.

　　The smart multi‑storey parking facility at No. 120 Tidu Street, currently in trial operation, is among the first batch of such facilities built. Before its construction, the lot could accommodate just over 90 vehicles; now, with the multi‑storey structure in place, it can hold more than 270 cars. “The parking garage stands six stories tall, making efficient use of the available land and minimizing the footprint while maximizing parking capacity,” explained A Long, the head of the parking facility’s development and operations team.

　　So, where exactly does the “smartness” of a multi‑level parking garage lie? According to A Long, first and foremost, it achieves full automation. After a driver parks their vehicle in a designated spot, the operator simply presses a button to activate the system, and the automated parking structure immediately begins operating. Whether it’s lifting or lateral movement, all these tasks are handled automatically by the system. When the driver retrieves their car, the multi‑level garage likewise “delivers” the vehicle back to them—again, entirely on its own.

Secondly, the parking facility will be integrated with an online platform, allowing drivers to check in real time whether any parking spaces remain. “Currently, charging stations are being installed, and they too will be connected to the online platform, so owners of new-energy vehicles can use the app to see how many chargers are still available,” said A Long.

According to reports, Chengdu will develop a smart, multi‑level parking system while simultaneously building a smart parking management information system. This system will be integrated with the citywide smart parking information platform, enabling precise matching of parking supply and demand and improving the efficiency of parking facility utilization. All newly constructed parking facilities will be equipped with charging infrastructure in accordance with prescribed ratios and will include provisions for the future installation of additional charging stations.

How many smart, multi‑level parking facilities will be built? At least 19,000 new parking spaces will be added.

　　According to reports, the first batch of 41 smart, multi‑level parking facilities (integrated complexes) being developed in Chengdu’s central urban area will add no fewer than 19,000 public parking spaces. At the same time, Chengdu will explore effective approaches to intensively utilize spatial resources to advance public parking infrastructure, develop replicable and scalable best practices, and efficiently expand the supply of basic parking capacity, thereby enhancing the city’s livability.

According to the Chengdu Municipal Housing and Urban–Rural Development Bureau, the city will launch the first batch of 41 smart, multi‑level parking projects. These initiatives will repurpose underground spaces beneath green plazas to construct 19 underground parking facilities, while transforming above‑ground areas into small parks and micro‑green spaces to enhance urban openness. Additionally, seven parking complexes will be developed on sites designated for public parking, creating new, integrated urban shared spaces that combine parking with community amenities. To promote the mixed‑use of development land, public parking spaces will be flexibly added to buildings zoned for service facilities, cultural and sports uses, commercial purposes, and civil defense, with 15 additional public parking facilities built through stacked or integrated designs.

To date, 32 projects have been successively launched in the central urban area, with over 10,000 berths expected to be under construction by the end of 2019. In the near future, additional projects will also be completed.

In addition, the Housing and Urban–Rural Development Bureau plans to revise the “Chengdu Municipal Standards for the Construction of Primary and Secondary Schools,” piloting the provision of underground parking facilities in newly built schools to increase public parking spaces and meet both school‑related and community parking needs.