[nabla9]

As a another Helsinki resident, I agree. Whim is nice experiment but not necessarily a solution with their current business model.

I think that Whim (or another Whim type service) can work if you consider the the price of the parking space.

Currently Helsinki has zoning regulations for mandatory parking places that is too high (roughly 0.8 per apartment). The cost of parking place is something like 30,000 - 70,000 euros or more. Assuming that return of capital is 8%, the cost of parking space is 100 - 400 euros per month.

If the mandatory zoning requirement is dropped, Whim style services can become profitable even in the long term.

[lewis500]

That is a remarkable cost for a structured parking space! In America the construction cost is like $20-30k (17-25k EUR). I bet you could find projects for more than that but nothing like 70k EUR.

[nabla9]

If parking space is build underground as it often is in the cities, the construction is expensive. If you build below sea level, it can be even more.

If you build above the ground, the construction cost can be just $20-30k EUR, but after you factor in the cost of the land, the cost is similar.

[nawitus]

They can go up to $130k, but that's due to supply and demand, not construction costs.