Cologno Monzese, new Parking Plan: two-year trial begins along the M2 motorway.

Starting this fall, regulated parking will be available in the metro area and surrounding streets. The City aims to reduce traffic congestion, increase parking space turnover, and benefit residents and local businesses.

A two-year trial will begin this fall, introducing new parking regulations in areas along the M2 metro line and surrounding streets in Cologno Monzese. The municipal administration's stated goal is to structurally address the critical issues that have plagued urban mobility for years, from the lack of parking spaces to the presence of so-called parasitic traffic, and the difficulty for residents and businesses to find available parking spaces.  

The new measure will be introduced through the new Detailed Parking Plan, the provision that represents the second level of planning and in-depth analysis of the current General Urban Traffic Plan (PGTU) and which aims to redefine parking management within the municipality.  

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An answer to historical mobility and parking problems

In recent years, parking has become increasingly central to Cologno Monzese, especially in areas near the Green Line metro stops. The proximity to Milano and the presence of important interchange hubs have in fact made many areas of the city particularly attractive for commuters coming from the hinterland, with consequent saturation of available parking spaces.

According to studies and traffic analyses conducted as part of the plan's development, most urban areas have occupancy rates above the critical threshold of 85%, a situation exacerbated by prolonged and often irregular parking, which further reduces the availability of parking spaces for residents and occasional users.  

To address these issues, the municipal administration has decided to launch a limited trial in the most sensitive areas from a mobility perspective, so as to monitor the effects of the measures adopted before evaluating any future developments.

Zanelli: "The goal isn't to raise money but to resolve historical issues."

The mayor of Cologno Monzese, Stefano Zanelli, wanted to clarify the significance of the measure and the objectives the Administration intends to pursue with the new Parking Plan.

"Adopting this Plan," explains Mayor Stefano Zanelli , "doesn't mean the city will become a giant paid parking lot tomorrow, but rather that we want to finally provide our city with modern, equitable, and forward-thinking mobility. As an Administration, we took charge of this measure at the end of 2025, working diligently on it because we believe it is a priority that can no longer be postponed. Aware of the impact such a reorganization can have on daily habits, we have chosen the path of gradualism and dialogue: the text is in fact the result of a constructive discussion initiated by the majority and continued in two sessions of the competent Council Committee, open to all city political forces. Contrary to the news circulating in recent days, a two-year trial will begin that will exclusively concern the areas along the M2 metro line and surrounding streets, thus allowing us to monitor the data, refine the system, and understand how to intervene in the future. The goal is not to make money, but to resolve historical issues, encourage parking rotation, give space back to residents, and boost retail trade." neighborhood”.

The mayor's remarks highlight the administration's desire to proceed with a gradual approach, initially limiting intervention to the most critical areas and using the trial period to collect data and evaluate any corrective measures.

The measures envisaged by the new Parking Plan

To respond to the different needs present in the area, the Plan introduces a series of tools that aim to make parking management more efficient and encourage greater vehicle rotation.

Passes dedicated to residents

One of the main innovations concerns the protection of residents. Specific permits will be issued to residents who do not have a garage or private parking space, allowing them to park near their homes. This measure is designed to ensure greater availability of parking spaces for those who live permanently in the areas covered by the trial.  

Differentiated paid parking

The plan also includes the introduction of paid parking in areas where demand is particularly high. Rates will be differentiated based on the critical issues identified in individual neighborhoods and calibrated to encourage vehicle turnover and reduce long-term parking.  

Time slots against illegal parking

The tools envisaged also include new regulatory time slots aimed at combating the phenomenon of irregular parking and improving the use of public spaces intended for parking.  

Free parking for quick errands

Special attention is paid to neighborhood businesses. The Plan introduces a "courtesy parking" program that will allow free parking for the first 15-20 minutes, encouraging quick errands and shopping at local stores. The goal is to encourage parking space turnover and support the city's commercial fabric.  

Incentives for the use of underground parking

The new system also aims to maximize the value of existing underground parking facilities. For this reason, higher rates will be applied for surface parking and discounts will be offered for underground parking, thus directing longer stays to dedicated spaces and freeing up parking spaces along city streets.  

A plan developed over the years and relaunched by the current Administration

The updated Parking Plan is rooted in the work developed by the previous municipal administration in conjunction with the PIM Study Center. The current council has decided to resume and update the project starting in late 2025, deeming it necessary to adapt the urban planning tools to the city's changing mobility needs.  

The City Council will formally adopt the plan in its entirety, but the actual implementation will concern only the experimental phase in the areas identified along the metro line and surrounding areas. This will allow for field testing of the effectiveness of the measures introduced and the collection of useful information for any future extensions or modifications to the system.  

An experiment to redesign urban mobility

The experimental phase represents one of the most significant urban mobility initiatives in recent years in Cologno Monzese. Through parking regulations, the Municipality aims to improve parking availability, reduce congestion in areas most affected by commuter traffic, and promote more balanced management of public space.

The two-year trial will serve to understand the new system's effective ability to meet the city's needs, constantly monitoring parking trends, the impact on traffic, and the impact on economic activities and residents.