Two-thirds of citizens in the French capital have voted in favour of adding 500 ‘green streets’ to the city’s car-free roadmap.
Clean Cities, an organisation advocating for low, zero carbon and active travel expansion across the continent, has now claimed this ‘sends a clear message’ to the mayors of other major urban areas.
‘Paris is once again setting the standard for the cities of tomorrow. This vote sends a powerful message: Parisians want bold action for a liveable and healthy capital,’ said Clément Drognat Landré, coordinator of the Clean Cities campaign in France. ‘Just as the metro shaped mobility in the 20th century, this decision is an era-defining step towards a more liveable city where every resident, regardless of their neighbourhood, can enjoy cleaner air and better public spaces.’
Paris is already seen as one of the world’s leading city’s for traffic and emissions reductions. In 2024, the public voted to introduce higher parking fines for heavy SUVs. Mayor Anne Hidalgo also pressed on with a Limited Traffic Zone in the city last year, with motorists banned from driving through the epicentre of the metropolis from 5th November. Following a six month grace period, fines of £114 will be issued for anyone flouting the new rules this spring.
‘Paris is building on the success of its school streets as a model for transformation. With 218 school streets already in place —70 of them featuring new green spaces—the city is leading the way. An overwhelming 81% of Parisians support this approach, and expanding it will ensure that all residents enjoy quieter, healthier, and more inviting public spaces,’ added Drognat Landré.
Image: Veit Hammer / Unsplash
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