Makers Runners Up At European Awards

In front of 501 delegates from around the world Makers were presented ‘runners up’ in the ‘Renovating Parking Structures’ category.

The awards hosted by Guiliano Mingardo of Erasmus University, Rotterdam and presented by Nick Lester-Davis President of the EPA saw Makers lose out to eventual winners of the “Strachus” car park in Germany, where the 2 year renovation of 2 underground parking levels were modified and upgraded in design with enlarged parking bays from 2.3m wide to 2.5m wide!  The car park operated by “Contipark” also installs ANPR and provided 8 disabled parking spaces during its transformation.

The Allhallows project was shortlisted from a number of entries from all over Europe with the EPA commending both the quantity and quality of the entries, the largest number they had ever received across the 5 categories.

As well as submission, projects were subjected to a European Panel who visited each project, made up the shortlist and then invited to display their project at Congress. Nominees were permitted to address to the Congress to highlight and introduce their projects prior to awards and winners being announced.

“We are obviously disappointed we didn’t win, we have a very strong contender in Allhallows, but can add European runner up the BPA winner so not all bad”

Matt Hewetson, Makers QS

“We came with high hopes, Allhallows has been a fabulous project and credit must go to Bedford Borough Council and Makers for representing the UK”

MBCE, Engineering Consultants

“I would just like to thank my team for all their efforts and those involved from Bedford Borough Council.  We came close but couldn’t beat the home led advantage.  I would like to congratulate “Contipark” on their win, I am sure they are delighted to win the European award as we were with the British one.”

Simon Lamb, MD

As well as the awards the European Congress discussed Urban Mobility, human behaviour and parking within the digital era over their 3 day conference.  Key note speakers from around the world contributed to attitudes and developments from Government positions and policies relating to on and off street parking with particular emphasis on real time parking, congestion and the sharing of digitized information through platforms and mobile phone applications.

As well as the technical, innovation and policy discussion networking events were also provided to encourage the exchange of ideas and strengthen relationships.

These events were extended to members also attending Parken, saw Makers attend the “Welcome Event” at the Club Spindler & Klatt a renovated army bakery on the banks of the river Spree, which is now a popular night life location in Berlin.