Taking the car to Paris while you still can? The city is going radically green

Ambitious

The idea is as simple as it is ambitious: 500 streets in Paris will be redesigned over the next few years as so-called “rues jardin” – streets where cars disappear and make way for trees, plants, benches and children playing. These new car-free streets will be in addition to the existing 200 already made car-free. This will soon bring the total to 700 – accounting for about 10 percent of all Paris streets. Between six and eight such green corridors will be added to each neighborhood. Exactly which ones will be determined later in consultation with residents and local administrators.

Parking spaces

The shift does mean another major cut in the number of parking spaces. Ten thousand parking spaces will disappear to make room for trees and flower boxes – on top of the ten thousand already eliminated by 2020. The city government does not see this as a loss, but as an opportunity to redesign the city for people rather than vehicles.

Climate Change

The measure fits within a course Paris has been following for years: reducing car traffic and greening the city. At the same time, investments are being made in bicycle infrastructure, shared mobility and public transportation. Not everyone is happy with the plans. Critics point to the loss of accessibility for residents, business owners, suppliers and emergency services alike.

Sheet Resistance

The right-wing opposition in Paris fiercely opposes the plans. According to them, the effects on mobility, economy and safety have not been sufficiently calculated. They also say the maintenance of existing green areas leaves much to be desired. Moreover, only four percent of Parisians cast a vote in a referendum for this plan. Despite this low turnout, the city council is pushing ahead with the plan.

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