By Du Xiaoli (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-07-20 17:51

A consumer surnamed Lu is satisfied with facilities and services of Xidan shopping malls in downtown Beijing. But he also said: "I hesitate to go shopping there due to parking problems and traffic congestion."

Many downtown shopping malls in Beijing such as Xidan and Wangfujing have parking problems that deter customers. Parking problems in the Xidan commercial area could hinder its development, said experts.

Sixteen large shopping malls in Beijing including Beijing Modern Plaza, Henderson Center, and New World will reconstruct parking guide systems in the coming three to four months, said Lu Yan, director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce.

Convenient parking has become a factor in competition, and is an indivisible part of shopping mall operation because more people are driving cars to go shopping, said experts. Desire for convenience, comfort, and consumer-oriented services encourage the shopping malls to build orderly, harmonious environments.

Currently many shopping malls are not able to build new parking lots, so the existing parking lots must be used efficiently, requiring the shopping malls to reconstruct parking guide systems, experts suggested.

There are two kinds of parking lots in shopping malls in Beijing-on the ground and underground. The parking lots on the ground are convenient for consumers while many underground ones have no clear guiding system, which is inconvenient for shoppers.

"Guide systems should be highlighted in reconstruction of parking system in large shopping malls in Beijing," said Lu Hao, vice-mayor of Beijing. It is impossible to solve the shortage of parking space quickly. Therefore the parking guide systems should have clear signs indicating the number of available parking spaces, parking access directions and the way toward shopping malls.

Many shopping malls have enhanced the utilization of their parking lots after reconstruction. Successful reconstruction encourages others to do the same.

Besides large shopping malls, all commercial streets in Beijing will gradually reconstruct parking guide facilities, said Lu Yan, adding that the commerce bureau will issue advice on standardization of reconstructions.