France Parisians want to close hundreds of streets to cars
Hundreds of Parisian streets are to be closed to cars in future. A clear majority voted in favor of this in a public consultation in the French capital at the weekend.
24.03.2025, 00:54
SDA
However, just four percent of the almost 1.4 million registered voters took part in the vote. Now it's all about implementation, said Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo. However, despite the electoral success, the project is not yet a done deal.
Specifically, Parisians voted in favor of greening 500 streets and closing them to cars. This could result in 10,000 parking spaces being removed in Paris in the coming years. Drivers would have to be prepared for detours. Which streets will become green pedestrian zones is now to be decided locally. There are likely to be around 25 in each of the 20 city districts. Implementation will probably take three to four years.
Paris has been driving forward the traffic turnaround for years
Paris City Hall had also declared the vote to be a choice for or against noise and pollution. It is also about adapting to climate change. Parisians make most of their journeys on foot and rarely use their cars on inner-city routes. Since 2002, car traffic in Paris has fallen by almost 50 percent. Nevertheless, according to the city planning office, cars still take up more than half of the public space.
Under its socialist mayor Hidalgo, Paris has been striving for a green traffic turnaround for years and is seen by many as a role model. Around 220 of the more than 6,000 streets in Paris are already car-free. In some cases, cars are not allowed to drive near schools in particular. A 30 km/h speed limit applies in large parts of the city, and there is now a zone in the city center where through traffic is prohibited.
The referendum at the weekend was the third time that Paris has allowed its residents to decide on transport policy. In April 2023, the city put the ban on e-scooters for hire to the vote and in February 2024, it put higher parking fees for heavy cars to the vote. Turnout was extremely low then too.
Opposition is not a fan - and could potentially stop the project
Despite the numerous benefits praised by City Hall, not everyone is in favor of creating new car-free streets. The majority of residents in three districts voted against it. The conservative opposition also warned that the road closures could restrict traders and even the emergency services. They also said that this would entail enormous costs. The conservatives accused the city government of propaganda and a communication campaign. By advertising "garden streets", they had taken the citizens for fools.
The criticism is particularly relevant because elections will be held in Paris next year. The conservatives could then take over the city hall. Whether they will then continue the transformation of the car-free streets is uncertain. However, Hidalgo believes that the vote gives a clear indication of the Parisians' direction. They want more greenery.
Traffic turnaround in French
Even if German cities like to look at Paris from time to time, an approach like here in Germany would be unthinkable. This is because in Germany, roads cannot be closed by referendum, but by means of a procedure to remove them from use, as Helmut Dedy, Managing Director of the Association of German Cities, explains. In this process, the interests of all road users are taken into account - including traders, for example.
However, many German cities have long been striving for a good traffic mix. "This can also include closing roads to motorized traffic if it fits in with the local traffic concept." But one thing is clear: "If we want less car traffic, then we need more public transport with good frequency and good accessibility." This is where the problem lies, as the financial situation of cities is dramatic. They need more financial support from the federal and state governments for local public transport.
