Residents of Paris will today vote in a citywide referendum on whether to pedestrianise 500 more streets, as part of a continuing effort by the French capital’s town hall to reduce car traffic and expand green spaces.
The measure, if approved, would mark the latest step in a series of initiatives under Mayor Anne Hidalgo aimed at transforming the urban landscape.
The proposal seeks to add to the network of so-called “garden streets” across the capital—streets converted to pedestrian zones, often incorporating greenery and recreational areas. The plan would result in the removal of an additional 10,000 parking spaces, bringing the total removed since 2020 to approximately 20,000. Residents would also be consulted on which streets will be included.
This is the third local referendum in Paris in as many years. In 2023, Parisians voted to ban rental e-scooters from city streets, and in 2024, they approved a measure to triple parking fees for large sport utility vehicles (SUVs). These initiatives are part of a broader campaign led by the city’s left-wing administration to encourage low-emission mobility and reduce urban congestion.
Deputy Mayor Patrick Bloche described the ongoing process as a long-term reconfiguration of public space in favour of non-motorised traffic. “For the past 25 years we’ve gradually been reclaiming public space for pedestrian traffic, for gentle traffic, and with ‘garden streets’, to create lungs within neighbourhoods—the places where we live,” Bloche said.
Since the Socialist Party took control of Paris’ town hall at the turn of the century, motor traffic has declined significantly. Data from the municipality indicates that car traffic in the city has dropped by more than 50% over the past 25 years. Under Mayor Hidalgo’s administration, which began in 2014, 84 kilometres of new cycle lanes have been built since 2020. According to the city’s figures, bicycle usage increased by 71% between the end of the COVID-19 lockdowns and 2023.
Despite these efforts, Paris remains behind other European capitals in terms of overall green infrastructure. Figures from the European Environment Agency show that only 26% of Paris’ area consists of green infrastructure—including parks, private gardens, tree-lined streets, water bodies, and wetlands—compared to an average of 41% in other major European capitals.
The proposed expansion would bring the number of pedestrianised streets in Paris to nearly 700, or just over 10% of the city’s total. Advocates within city hall argue that the changes are essential to tackling air pollution and creating more liveable neighbourhoods.
However, the referendum has faced criticism from some groups who say the policy agenda disproportionately affects suburban residents. Philippe Nozière, president of the motorists’ group 40 Millions d’Automobilistes, said the measures are impractical for the broader Paris region. “It’s important to know that the city of Paris isn’t a museum. It’s still a city where people work, where workers are forced to get around, where people from the greater Paris region are forced to come, where there are stores,” Nozière stated.
Roughly 10 million people live in the Île-de-France region surrounding Paris, where public transport options are generally less dense than in the city centre. Car ownership statistics reflect this disparity: only one-third of households in central Paris own a car, compared with two-thirds in the suburbs. Nationally, excluding Paris and its surrounding region, car ownership stands at approximately 85%.
The outcome of today’s vote will determine whether the city proceeds with its plan to extend pedestrian zones. If passed, the measure would continue the trend of reallocating road space from vehicles to other forms of use, a strategy that has become central to Paris’ urban planning over the past decade.
Polling stations are open throughout Sunday, with results expected to be announced shortly afterwards. The vote is being closely watched by other European municipalities considering similar strategies to address air quality, traffic congestion, and urban heat.
