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Paris Residents to Vote on Transforming 500 Streets into Car-Free Green Zones

The referendum, part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo's traffic transformation agenda, could eliminate 10,000 parking spaces and reshape urban mobility in the city.

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Am Eingang zu einer Fußgängerstraße weist ein Schild daraufhin, dass Autos und Motorräder verboten sind.

Overview

  • The March 23 referendum will determine whether 500 streets in Paris are converted into car-free, green pedestrian zones, with results expected late Sunday evening.
  • The proposal would result in the removal of 10,000 parking spaces and require drivers to navigate alternative routes across the city.
  • This initiative is part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo's broader traffic transformation strategy, which has already introduced 220 car-free streets and increased cycling traffic by 71% between 2020 and 2023.
  • Critics argue the plan may disproportionately affect residents in outer districts with less developed public transportation infrastructure.
  • For the first time in Paris, 16- and 17-year-olds will be eligible to vote in the referendum, reflecting a broader push for public participation in urban planning.