Parisians Embrace Car-Free Streets: A Future of Greener, Pedestrian-Friendly Paris
- Parisians advocating for closure of numerous roadways to vehicular traffic
In a decisive move towards cleaner, quieter city living, a majority of Parisian voters have backed the closure of hundreds of streets to cars. Although less than 4% of the city's nearly 1.4 million registered voters participated in the weekend poll, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo is eager to push ahead with implementation. However, the project isn't a done deal quite yet.
Specifically, the endeavor involves turning 500 streets into pedestrian zones, which could potentially cost around 10,000 parking spaces in the coming years. Drivers will have to find alternative routes, and each of the city's 20 arrondissements is expected to receive about 25 car-free streets for local decision-making. Implementation is projected to take three to four years.
For years, Paris has been championing a traffic transformation, with a bias towards pedestrians and public transportation. The city hall frames this initiative as a choice between excessive noise pollution and cleaner air, along with adapting to climate change. The majority of Parisians already walk or use public transit, making inner-city car traffic rare. Since 2002, car traffic in Paris has seen a sharp decline of nearly 50%. Nevertheless, cars still consume over half of the city's public space.
As part of a larger green traffic overhaul, Paris aims to reduce car traffic and bolster green spaces, aligning with broader environmental goals and enhancing quality of life. About 220 of the city's over 6,000 streets are already car-free, particularly near schools, and speed limits are 30 km/h in many areas, with a low-emission zone in the city center that bans through traffic.
While Paris has previously let its residents decide on traffic policy, this move is the third time, with voter turnout being low in both prior instances. Opposition is not in favor, citing potential harm to local businesses, emergency services, and a costly reorganization of infrastructure. They argue that the current communication campaign, promising "garden streets," is nothing more than government propaganda.
Despite these criticisms, Mayor Hidalgo views the vote as a clear statement about Parisians' desires. They want more greenery and a cleaner environment. Similar initiatives are underway in numerous German cities, which are striving for an ideal traffic mix – one that may include closing streets to motorized traffic if it suits the local traffic concept. The key, however, is to prioritize public transportation, offering good schedules and accessibility, which can pose financial challenges for cash-strapped cities seeking more financial support from federal and state governments.
Enrichment Data:
- Public Support: A recent poll showed strong support for closing hundreds of streets to cars (59% voting yes), with the goal to green 500 streets and transform them into pedestrian zones.[1][5]
- Implementation Details: The plan calls for approximately 25 car-free streets in each of the city's 20 districts. Implementation is expected to take three to four years and potentially result in the removal of about 10,000 parking spaces.[1][5]
- Existing Car-Free Areas: As of now, Paris already has around 220 car-free streets out of over 6,000, with a focus on reducing traffic and pollution.[1]
- Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, following the voter approval in the weekend poll, intends to implement a community policy focused on environmental enhancement and pedestrian-friendly spaces, with a goal of turning 25 car-free streets in each arrondissement by 2023.
- In line with the City Hall's vision, the proposed policy entails a greener environment, prioritizing cleaner air, adapting to climate change, and potentially eliminating up to 10,000 parking spaces as hundreds of streets become pedestrian zones.
- As part of a broader global initiative aimed at improving quality of life, especially in the face of climate change, Paris' envisioned car-free streets are in line with environmental goals and reflect the city's commitment to reduce car traffic, similar to initiatives in several German cities that strive for an optimal traffic mix, including closing streets to motorized traffic where appropriate.
