UAE | Traffic and Transport

Lack of parking slots drives Karama tenants up the wall

Frustrated residents hunt for spaces in other buildings

By Carolina D'Souza, Staff Reporter
Published: 00:00 February 6, 2012

Vehicles parked on sandy areas in the densely populated Karama area of Dubai

Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
Vehicles parked on sandy areas in the densely populated Karama area of Dubai. Many residents capitalise on the dearth of parking spaces by subletting their slots in the building car parks.

Dubai: Insufficient public parking lots in Karama has spurred a trend among residents — to rent nearby parking spaces.

Frustrated residents, who often end up parking illegally on pavements, claim that renting is a safer and better option.

Resident Cynthia Menezes pays Dh250 a month to park her four-wheel drive in a nearby building, a block away from her apartment. She told Gulf News: "It is definitely a trend. In my area, several residents who do not own cars and have access to building parking rent out their designated slots."

"A few months ago, I was circling my apartment block, looking for parking. A lady stopped me and asked whether I needed a parking spot. I was only too happy to take up the offer," she added.

Prior to being a sub-lessee, Menezes, who has been living in the area for more than 20 years, said she used to spend close to 45 minutes scouting for an empty parking slot, especially in the evening.

"Despite my RTA parking card, there were times when I couldn't find parking, forcing me to park on the pavement for which I have got fines. I even know of people who have parking cards provided by their companies. To make extra money, they too sublet their building parking spaces. Several of my neighbours park in nearby buildings."

Comments (15)

Added 19:20 February 6, 2012

I agree with Kiran. the problem is not the number of parking spaces, but the number of families sharing an appartment. Too many families make too many cars in the area and shortage of parking spaces. Govt. authorities should check on the appartment sharing trend in Karama and nearby areas to get rid of this situation.

Elton, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 18:55 February 6, 2012

Here the problem is how to get rid of this parking problem. If a tenant is owning a parking space, which he or she have already paid to the landlord, then it would be a better option to sublet those parking area. It is better to sublet other than keeping empty. In this world no servise is free of charge. This would help atleast a few car owners who are wasting hours to find a parking space.

shajid PKm, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 17:59 February 6, 2012

I arrived in Dubai in 1995.My first stay for 6 months was in Karama,Dubai.Many buildings were in delapidated conditions and they still are.Some buildings were demolished and new one's constructed with adequate parking facilities.Many buildings still may not have the elevators,garbage shuts,fire fighting equipments etc.It's time to demolish the old buildings and construct new one's with all facilities.Many open parking slots opp.Royal Garden and Lulu can be converted into multi storey car parks with cleaning facilities.

Sanjay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:49 February 6, 2012

I dont know for which Karama the writer is talking about. there is no such issue for getting a parking in Karama Area, It is comfortable

Khurram Arshad, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:39 February 6, 2012

In regards to the comment, Its not an issue to be sympathizing or not, neither is it a case to look for new apartments, the problem is that a solution has to be found to this either by making multi storied car park or some other way, shifting your apartment to tackle a parking problem is not feasible at all, how about the people living in deira?

Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:24 February 6, 2012

Responding to the above news I am a resident in the same locality and I never found a problem in parking especially in this area. The actual problem is not lack of parking spaces but lack of FREE parking spaces. The above picture portraits an area which is the only free parking available in Karama. The parking spaces are always available in Karama near Sana building and surrounding areas. If the problem is about free parking then it is a concern but we do not have any reason to complain as the system of paid parking has brought more systematic way of parking. Any people living in this area if they remember before the paid parking system was launched a lot of people had two cars (out of which one not fit for travelling:)) so that they can always reserve a parking space for themselves which is not at all acceptable. My viewpoint is only on this area and surrounding areas. There might be other places in Karama where there is actually a problem.

Anonymous, Karama, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:18 February 6, 2012

I also Do agree with that, there is much better places where residents can lease flats with sufficient parking space. may be they need to move around a little. Otherwise you would need to suffer .. or pay more ... best is to choose a place with proper parking .. no headaches at least.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:03 February 6, 2012

Finding a parking space in congested residential areas is a nightmare. My suggestion is, if you are going to move into a new area, then check the availability of the public parking spaces available, specially at night.

Mohammad, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:18 February 6, 2012

responding to the comment by 'anonymous' - does that mean that the residents of karama should continue to struggle without parking facilities? is the govt justified in fining when in reality there aren't enough parking spaces?

Anonymous, abu dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:07 February 6, 2012

I have lived in Dubai for 4 years out of which one Year in Karama. The real issue is not the number of parking but the number of people who share an apartment. Karama is full of bachelors and families who share apartments. This practice brings in more cars. I am sure karama has adequate parking for number of flats avaiable but not for the no. of families/people who share an apartment

Kiran, Bangalore, India