Parisians will vote in a referendum on Sunday to determine whether an additional 500 city streets should be pedestrianized and greened, as part of the French capital's effort to reduce car usage and improve air quality.
This marks the third referendum in Paris in three years, following a vote in 2023 that approved changes to public space and a decision last year regarding large SUVs.
"For the past 25 years, we've been gradually reclaiming public space for pedestrians and creating 'garden streets' to enhance the livability of our neighborhoods," stated Deputy Mayor Patrick Bloche ahead of the vote.
Data from the Paris town hall indicates that car traffic in the city has more than halved since the Socialists took power at the turn of the century.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who has been in office since 2014, has overseen significant transformations in the city's streets. Since 2020, 84 kilometers (52 miles) of cycle lanes have been established, with bicycle usage increasing by 71% from the end of COVID-19 lockdowns to 2023.
If approved, the referendum would eliminate an additional 10,000 parking spots, adding to the 10,000 already removed since 2020. The city's two million residents will be consulted on which streets should be designated as pedestrian areas.
Despite these changes, Paris falls behind other European capitals in terms of green infrastructure, which encompasses private gardens, parks, tree-lined streets, water bodies, and wetlands. Green spaces make up only 26% of the city, compared to an average of 41% in other European capitals.
Critics argue that these measures make it increasingly difficult for the 10 million residents in the outer suburbs, where public transport is less accessible, to commute to work and shop in the city center.
"It's important to emphasize that Paris is not a museum. It is still a functioning city where people work and commute, including those from the greater Paris region," remarked Philippe Noziere, head of the automobile owners' association 40M.
Car ownership highlights the divide between central Paris and the suburbs: only one out of three households owns a car in central Paris, compared to two out of three in the suburbs. Across France, excluding Paris and its immediate region, car ownership stands at 85%.
If the proposal passes, the 500 additional vegetated streets will bring the total number of these "green lungs" to nearly 700, representing just over one-tenth of the capital's streets.