A recently published survey indicates that most disputes involving neighbors in Britain arise from arguments about parking spaces. Other reasons for trouble between neighbors include loud music and barking dogs. So, what about our own problems involving neighbors in our cities? Before trying to answer the question, we have to admit that the problems in Britain differ sharply in nature and frequency from those here.
The first to blame are the landlords who simply are not concerned about providing parking space. The problem is compounded by the presence of shops and other businesses in buildings originally designed for residential purposes. The limited number of parking spaces thus becomes a source of disputes among residents, shoppers and visitors. We cannot omit to mention sewage water overflowing into the streets and alleys, garbage strewn in every direction but never put into the containers which are provided for it.
In earlier times, cities were small and everyone in the neighborhood knew everyone else and causes of friction among neighbors were negligible. When cities grew and more people arrived to live there, urban centers turned into flashpoints, pitting old settlers against new and everybody against everybody else. The freedom allowed by urban life made people behave more selfishly and sometimes with little or no consideration to others.
Some residents erect concrete or steel barriers in front of the building where they live to prevent others from parking in what they consider private territory. Others assign special guards to drive off intruders.
The guards will not hesitate to damage any car whose owner dares to park “illegally.” Others ask children to do the job. You must not be surprised if you come out to find a flat tire or a badly damaged car — just a reminder that you parked in the wrong place.
In other countries people may argue and quarrel with their neighbors but they don’t take the law into their own hands and vent their anger over a parked car. In other countries, not every kind of shop or business is allowed to open in residential areas. Remember what happened in old Jeddah where almost half the population left in search of peace and quiet after neighborhoods were taken over by traders. Looking out my window, I can see five new residential buildings under construction, with none having any parking spaces.
What will happen if some companies decided to move their business into the neighborhood? Perhaps the residents should consider using bicycles instead of cars.
Arab News From the Local Press 17 June 2003
