Paris Approves 500 New Garden Streets
- A citizen vote indicates support for increased green spaces and pedestrian areas in the French capital.
- ENVIRONMENT - Could Paris be transforming into a city garden?
- Of the 1.4 million eligible parisian voters, including residents aged 16 and older, just over 54,000 participated, representing less than 4% of the electorate. Turnout for previous citizen...
Paris Considers Creating 500 New ‘Garden Streets’
Table of Contents
- Paris Considers Creating 500 New ‘Garden Streets’
- Paris to Create 500 New ‘Garden Streets’: Your Essential Guide
- What are ‘Garden Streets’ in Paris?
- Why is Paris Creating more Green Spaces?
- How Did Parisians Vote on This Initiative?
- Who Participated in the Vote?
- How Much Will the Project Cost?
- When Will the Implementation Begin?
- What are the Potential Impacts of the Garden Street Project?
- Are There Concerns About the Project?
- Key Points to Consider
A citizen vote indicates support for increased green spaces and pedestrian areas in the French capital.
Parisians Vote on Urban Greening Initiative
ENVIRONMENT – Could Paris be transforming into a city garden? Parisians who participated in a recent citizen vote overwhelmingly supported the creation of 500 new garden streets
in the capital. According to the city, 66% of voters answered yes
to the question: for or against greening and making pedestrian 500 new streets in Paris?
Of the 1.4 million eligible parisian voters, including residents aged 16 and older, just over 54,000 participated, representing less than 4% of the electorate. Turnout for previous citizen votes has not exceeded 8%.
If the yes
vote is implemented, the city has pledged to expand pedestrianization efforts initiated during Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s second term, which began in 2020. These efforts have already resulted in the creation of 300 streets similar to school streets.
Estimated Cost: €500,000 Per Street
According to a city official, The idea is that each Parisian can have a planted and pedestrian street less than 300 meters from his home.
Christophe Najdovski, assistant to the mayor in charge of green spaces, told reporters.
The city plans to identify eligible streets starting in April,with implementation expected over the next three to four years. A quarter of the new streets will be prioritized in designated districts.
While the average cost is estimated at €500,000 per street, a detailed budget for the entire project is still under development, according to Patrick Bloche, a top aide.
Bloche also noted, The car has been a major divide between the left and the right for 25 years,
referencing recent controversial measures such as the 50 km/h speed limit and the limited traffic zone (ZTL) in the city center, aimed at reducing pollution in Europe’s most densely populated capital.
The creation of 500 garden streets could lead to the elimination of 10% of surface parking in Paris. This reduction is already underway in areas like Butte Montmartre, where the creation of a pedestrian zone has sparked concerns among residents.
Opposition Voices Concerns
Anne Renaudie, president of the association Living in Montmartre,
expressed concerns that the project could lead to the disneylandisation
of one of Paris’s most popular tourist destinations. The only consequence is to kill the accessibility of the neighborhood because the inhabitants, especially the elderly, will no longer be able to park at the bottom of their homes,
she said. Antoine Dupont,an assistant in charge of roads at the 18th arrondissement town hall,countered that only 20% of households in the area own a car.
Right-wing opposition members have also voiced skepticism, pointing to the low participation rate in the vote. They noted that less than 8% of voters participated in referendums on tripling the parking rate for SUVs in 2024 and banning self-service electric scooters a year earlier.
The union Capitale group, the leading opposition group in the Paris Council, stated that no clear financing source has been presented
for the project, deeming it unrealistic
due to a lack of rigorous planning.
Anne Biraben, of the Change Paris group, questioned, Everyone wants to live in a garden street, but what will be the reality?
She criticized the lack of maintenance of existing green spaces in the city, citing a recent neighborhood vote on the vegetation of rue Mouffetard as an example. The result does not correspond to the drawings produced at the time of the vote. The disappointment is immense,
Biraben said.
Paris to Create 500 New ‘Garden Streets’: Your Essential Guide
What are ‘Garden Streets’ in Paris?
Paris is planning to transform itself by creating 500 new “garden streets.” These streets will be designed to prioritize green spaces and pedestrian areas, aiming to create a more environmentally friendly and livable city. The impetus for this project comes from a citizen vote.
Why is Paris Creating more Green Spaces?
The initiative to create garden streets stems from a desire to enhance the quality of life for Parisians and reduce pollution in a densely populated city. The project aligns with the city’s efforts to expand pedestrianization, which began during Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s second term in 2020. Another main goal is to provide each resident with a green space or pedestrian street within 300 meters of their home, according to Christophe Najdovski, assistant to the mayor in charge of green spaces. This is part of a larger urban greening project.
How Did Parisians Vote on This Initiative?
A recent citizen vote showed overwhelming support for the creation of garden streets. 66% of voters answered “yes” to the question of whether they were “for or against greening and pedestrianizing 500 new streets in Paris.”
Who Participated in the Vote?
The citizen vote was open to Parisians aged 16 and older. However, the turnout was relatively low, with just over 54,000 participating out of 1.4 million eligible voters, which is less than 4% of the electorate.
How Much Will the Project Cost?
The estimated cost to create each garden street is €500,000.A detailed budget for the entire project is still under progress, according to Patrick Bloche, a top aide.
When Will the Implementation Begin?
The city plans to identify eligible streets starting in April, with implementation expected over the next three to four years. A quarter of the new streets will be prioritized in designated districts.
What are the Potential Impacts of the Garden Street Project?
The transformation of 500 streets into green spaces can change Paris in the following ways:
Reduced Parking: The project could led to the elimination of 10% of surface parking in Paris.
Environmental benefits: It aims to reduce pollution in the city.
Enhanced Pedestrian Experiance: The project aims to create more pedestrian-friendly areas.
Are There Concerns About the Project?
Yes, there are concerns:
Opposition from Residents: Some residents, particularly in areas like Butte Montmartre, are concerned about the potential impact on accessibility, especially for elderly residents who rely on parking near their homes.
Low Voter Turnout: Right-wing opposition members have criticized the project, pointing out the low participation rate in the citizen vote.
Financial Viability Concerns: The union Capitale group, the leading opposition group in the Paris Council, has stated that “no clear financing source has been presented” for the project, deeming it “unrealistic” due to a lack of “rigorous planning.”
* Maintenance concerns: Some critics question whether the city will be able to maintain the new green spaces,citing issues with the maintenance of existing green areas.
Key Points to Consider
Here’s a summary of the project’s essential aspects:
| Feature | Details |
| ———————- | ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| project Aim | Create 500 new “garden streets” to increase green spaces and pedestrian areas. |
| voter Support | 66% of voters supported the initiative. |
| Eligible Voters | Parisians aged 16 and older. |
| Participation Rate | Less than 4% of eligible voters participated. |
| Cost Per Street | Approximately €500,000. |
| Implementation Timeline | Identification of streets starts in april; implementation expected over the next three to four years. |
| Potential Impact | Reduced parking, reduced pollution, and enhanced pedestrian experience. |
| Concerns | Accessibility issues, low voter turnout, lack of clear financing, and maintenance concerns. |