Market leader in mobility hubs focuses on future-proofing and multifunctionality

With more than twenty years of experience in parking solutions, Continental Car Parks has developed into a pioneer in mobility hubs. As one of the few players in the Netherlands, it has already realized several hubs and can rightly call itself the market leader. "The demand for mobility hubs is growing enormously," says commercial project manager Noortje Jansen. "We started with this concept four to five years ago and now have many discussions with municipalities, developers and construction companies."

More and more urban future plans are striving for a car-free city with consideration for our living environment. In addition, the scarce space in our country requires smart solutions. "Mobiliteithubs are an excellent fit for the new way of living and mobility," says Jansen. "For example, a neighborhood hub can combine parking with a waste plaza, parcel service or share bikes. If you add hospitality or stores, you also increase social safety."

Modular construction

What sets Continental Car Parks apart is its modular construction method. "That is very cost efficient and makes it possible to work with any architect. Moreover, we focus strongly on the environment and social cohesion. We see the hub not merely as a parking facility, but as an enriching part of the environment."

Thanks to years of knowledge, the company works very pragmatically. "We take a lot of work off your hands and guide the entire process from design to execution. In fact, sometimes we almost sit at the table as a consultant while we are basically a builder," Janssen laughs. "That's really where our strength lies."

The company offers four construction systems. "Flexideck is fully demountable and therefore easy to move. Parkdeck, while not demountable, has a high-quality appearance. Hoeschdeck is designed for more complex shapes such as curves, and Wooddeck is our all-wood parking garage, matching a trend that is already booming abroad."

Future-proof

According to Jansen, clients sometimes forget to think about the future: "What if the parking garage is empty in ten years? We ask a lot of questions so that we can work out not only scenario A, but also B and C. Then, for example, we give the option of turning it into a shopping center or workplace later. Anticipating the future prevents problems later. Consider the popularity of bicycle crates, cargo bikes and fatbikes. These cannot be parked in the traditional bike racks with which our country suffices."

Energy Hub

Continental Car Parks is increasingly building energy hubs. This is a sustainable, innovative parking facility that generates and supplies energy by means of solar panels and a battery. Such a mobility hub has been constructed in Haarlem under the name Elements. "The building consists of an above-ground modular parking garage with a commercial plinth. Residents can use a large number of shared cars and bikes, there will be a work café for the neighborhood and a service point for picking up and dropping off packages. This makes this hub a valuable addition to the entire area."

Green

Another example is the realization of WijCK in Pijnacker-Nootdorp. "The plan includes apartments, commercial spaces and a public area designed as a park. Future residents and visitors to WijCK will soon be able to park in a sustainable, innovative parking facility that generates energy. This will feature a coffee bar, bicycle storage, parcel service and rooftop sports facilities. The hub is located directly on the metro line, giving the parking facility a P+R function as well." An important theme in the area is nature inclusiveness and climate adaptation. Therefore, the hub will have plantings and nesting boxes.

Roof Garden

In Amsterdam, mobility hub BinnenDok has been realized. This parking facility provides not only six parking levels with 525 parking spaces, but also various other functions for residents, entrepreneurs, employees and visitors alike. The parking building is not only a public parking garage for the neighborhood, but is complemented by a bicycle storage facility, commercial spaces in the plinth and a roof garden. The latter also serves as a recreational space for residents.