Paris is continuing its transformation into a more pedestrian-friendly city. In a referendum held Sunday, voters approved a plan to close 500 additional city streets to cars, making way for
walkers, cyclists, and green spaces, while eliminating 10% of the city's existing parking spots.
The move is part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s broader campaign to reduce car dominance and promote sustainable urban living. Since 2020, her administration has already converted 300 streets, replacing asphalt and parking with trees and pedestrian zones. This latest expansion will target five to eight streets in each Paris neighborhood, with public consultations set for spring to decide which areas will be transformed. Each street has a projected budget of €500,000.
Backed by 66% of voters, the measure was welcomed by City Hall as a strong endorsement of the city’s green goals—though only 4% of eligible voters participated. Christophe Najdovski, the city’s Commissioner for Green Spaces and Greening, said the result reflects a clear public desire for “more pedestrian streets, fewer cars, and more nature.”
Despite the strong approval margin, the plan has sparked criticism from some residents and local business owners. In areas like Montmartre, concerns are rising that losing car access and parking will complicate daily life. The president of the drivers’ association 40 Millions d’automobilistes called the move “a gradual confiscation of urban space,” especially for people who rely on cars.
Still, Paris residents have already seen what these changes can look like. Previous car-free conversions, often near schools, replaced roadways with paving and planted zones—typically a two-thirds to one-third ratio. The initiative aims to curb air pollution, promote walking and cycling, combat the urban heat island effect, and enhance flood protection by allowing rainwater to seep into the ground.
With the 2024–2030 climate plan also pledging to remove 60,000 parking spots and plant trees in their place, this referendum signals Paris’ continued commitment to a greener, more walkable future. Photo by ninara from Helsinki, Finland, Wikimedia commons.