Short-term parkers get urgently needed parking spaces at the children's hospital

10. June 2024

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The University Children's Hospital of Basel (UKBB) is relieved to have found a good solution to the undisputed need for parking spaces in the immediate vicinity. In a joint declaration of intent, the University of Basel has agreed that the UKBB can rent urgently needed parking spaces in the car park in the basement of the neighbouring Biozentrum. These will be available from 2028 once the necessary construction work has been completed. The Department of Construction and Transport is currently examining whether 20 public car parks along Pestalozzistrasse can be made available for the UKBB.

As a highly specialised centre hospital, the University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB) treats patients far beyond the cantonal borders of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. A quick and safe journey must be guaranteed for parents and their sick children.

However, as a result of earlier assessments regarding the development of the Schällemätteli campus, the UKBB does not have its own car park. Patients, parents, visitors and employees who need to travel by car park in the busy City multi-storey car park instead. The current car park situation is particularly stressful for patients with chronic and severe disabilities.

33 short-term parking spaces with direct access to the children's hospital area

For years, it has been largely undisputed that patients at UKBB need additional car parking spaces in the immediate vicinity. Nevertheless, in January 2021, the recently redimensioned plans for a separate hospital car park under the neighbouring Tschudi Park also met with great resistance. In the plans submitted at the time, UKBB identified a total requirement of up to 200 parking spaces, including 48 short-term parking spaces for patients and visitors. Since then, the politically controversial project has been suspended.

The need for short-term parking spaces with direct access to the children's hospital grounds is particularly urgent. The UKBB is therefore very pleased to have found a solution to the most urgent parking problem at the children's hospital after intensive efforts and negotiations with the University of Basel. In a letter of intent, the University of Basel has assured the UKBB that it will be able to use 33 parking spaces in the Biozentrum car park.

This means that the absolute minimum is currently secured for patients. The UKBB has the option of renting up to 14 additional car parking spaces, depending on the University of Basel's own requirements. A lift is also planned that will lead from the car park in the basement of the Biozentrum directly to the UKBB.

Relief of the car park situation within reach

The existing car park is not currently designed for use as a public hospital car park. Construction measures are therefore essential. The prerequisite is an access road from Klingelbergstrasse. Its realisation is dependent on the new building of the Department of Biomedicine, which is currently under construction. It is therefore expected to take until 2028 before the car park can be used as a hospital car park.

The Basel-Stadt Department of Construction and Transport is currently examining whether around 20 public parking spaces opposite the Biocentre along Pestalozzistrasse can be reallocated for the UKBB.

The agreement reached with the University of Basel covers the need for short-term parking spaces. The many patients travelling by car from the Basel region or outside the cantonal borders will finally have quick, convenient and barrier-free access to the UKBB.

Long-term parkers such as employees or parents of inpatients will continue to park in the City car park for the time being, but will benefit indirectly from the relief of the overall parking situation around the children's hospital. The UKBB is therefore very relieved to have received planning security for needs-based parking spaces with the signed letter of intent.