Guri City in Gyeonggi Province has established two small free parking lots on private vacant land in Galmae-dong as part of a community-oriented initiative to address chronic parking shortages in residential areas.
According to Guri City on the 27th, the "Our Village Niche Parking Lot Project" is a policy that transforms neglected private vacant land into small parking facilities, converting abandoned spaces into amenities that benefit residents' daily lives.
The city planned the project in November 2024 and opened the first and second niche parking lots at 538-9 and 563-4 Galmae-dong in June 2025. The two lots provide a combined 14 parking spaces and are operating free of charge through a lottery system for seasonal passes available to Galmae-dong residents and local business operators.
On the 26th, the city conducted an on-site inspection to verify operational conditions and facility safety. Officials also reviewed possibilities for additional sites and potential improvements.
Guri Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun said, "This project is a practical policy that solves parking problems by utilizing idle spaces," adding, "We will continue efforts to improve the transportation environment in ways residents can feel through the expansion of niche parking lots."