The Multi-Storey Car Park for Everyone

Umea municipality has set as a primary goal the integration of equal opportunity in all aspects of the municipality's operations. In December 1998, the Umea city council directed all committees, administrations and city-owned companies to begin in 1999 the implementation of a basic approach to equal opportunity in all their operations.

Umea Parkering AB's board of directors and personnel decided to evaluate Nanna, a multi-storey car park located in the centre of Umea. The first step was to determine who uses the car park. The next step was to study how much of the company's resources were devoted to Nanna. And finally, it was time to visit the car park and to analyse it based on the needs of different persons and to find out if the car park Nanna is safe.

The conclusions were as follow:

• The ramps between each deck sloped steeply making it difficult and dangerous for visitors with prams or wheelchairs.
• Pedestrians walking to and from their cars were forced to walk on the drive with the cars. This was especially problematic for visitors with children.
• The car park gave a false sense of security since the visitors are indoors.
• Grey concrete gave a dark and gloomy impression.
• The stairwell outside of the building gave a shut-in feeling and was unpleasant. Visitors could not see or be seen, hear or be heard.
• There were no signs pointing to the lifts.

Based on this evaluation, the company board unanimously approved a renewing of the multi-storey car park. In 1999 the car park's lighting was improved, graffiti was removed, and signs pointing to the lifts were installed. In the year 2000 the stairwells' brick walls were replaced with glass walls at two stairwells.

Umea municipality and UPAB in particular attempted to integrate a basic approach of equal opportunities into daily work. This small step led to major changes and this is just the beginning.