The Universidad Industrial de Santander put into operation 148 new parking spaces in the building of the Faculty of Physical-Mechanical Engineering. The project began on November 1 and was delivered in record time, restoring peace of mind and improving mobility for members of the university community who work and move through the western sector of the campus.
This infrastructure not only addresses a long-standing need for better vehicle organization, but also marks significant progress toward a safer, more walkable, and more sustainable campus, with a clear separation between vehicular traffic and pedestrian areas.
For Yerly Fabián Martínez, professor of Roads and Transportation, the first impression was highly positive and went beyond the functionality of the parking facility. “For me, it was a pleasant surprise. I believe the project is very good, especially for the professors who are part of the Faculty of Physical-Mechanical Engineering, because in addition to delivering a building—an important piece of infrastructure—we are also providing infrastructure for the community, infrastructure for the entire university,” he stated.
The professor also highlighted the urban impact of the project: “The fact that vehicular access and traffic circulation are separated from pedestrian pathways gives the university the vision of a walkable campus,” he said, emphasizing that the project also integrates the community surrounding the campus.
From the academic leadership, Luis Carlos Gómez, director of the School of Systems and Computer Engineering, underscored the structural change this infrastructure will bring to internal mobility. “The ease with which we will access these parking spaces (…) will also reshape circulation within the university, practically reducing vehicle traffic over pedestrian areas to zero,” he noted, adding that this model “sets an example for the city.”
Gómez also expressed his satisfaction with the institutional growth reflected in these developments: “Seeing the momentum behind the development of the university’s physical infrastructure is very gratifying (…) it is also an indicator of the true state of our university.”
From everyday experience, professor and researcher Carlos Fajardo highlighted the immediate benefit for those who used the area daily. “I used to park my car outdoors, so now it’s under a roof. I find it quite spacious and very nice,” he said, adding that this parking facility “will have an impact that will profoundly transform the face of the university, because we are going to replace these more than 100 parking spaces with pedestrian pathways and spaces for people.”
Meanwhile, Miller Salas Rondón, director of the School of Civil Engineering, described the project as a necessary renewal. “Excellent. Everything we’re going to have in the near future will greatly help with mobility—sustainable mobility—with many ways of moving around on foot. It’s spectacular,” he stated, highlighting the direct benefit for the Faculty of Physical-Mechanical Engineering.
The dean of the Faculty of Physical-Mechanical Engineering, Johann Petit Suárez, emphasized the rapid progress and impact of the project. “We are truly pleasantly surprised by the progress of the work. In three months, the advancements are impressive, and from the Faculty we are very pleased,” he said, explaining that this intervention will transform campus dynamics: “Vehicular access will be perimeter-based, and inside the campus everything will be pedestrian, a very friendly concept in line with sustainable development. It’s a project that was greatly needed, long called for, and one that the student community will surely appreciate very much.”
Finally, Milena Zapata, a professional from the School of Civil Engineering, highlighted the project’s comprehensive planning and environmental focus. “Excellent, very well planned—especially the way they’re going to handle the green areas (…) we’re going to have many green spaces, the layout is very well distributed, and the parking spaces are very good,” she said, concluding: “A lot of innovation, a lot of green space, a lot of technology, and a strong natural component, which is the most important thing.”
With the opening of these new parking spaces, the campus is experiencing an immediate improvement in order and mobility, while the new Physical-Mechanical Engineering building begins to take shape as a space designed for people, safe transit, and university life.
