Paris Mayor Pushes 500 Roads to Go Car-Free Despite Low Referendum Vote

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo plans to pedestrianize 500 roads despite a mere 4 percent referendum turnout. The move aims to green the capital and cut car use though most residents skipped the vote. It reflects her bold vision for a less polluted more walkable city amid public apathy.

Hidalgo’s team framed the low turnout as no bar to action citing prior eco-friendly mandates. The referendum sought input on further revegetating Paris with trees and paths. Critics blast it as undemocratic given the scant participation rate.

Paris has slashed car zones since Hidalgo took office pushing bikes and public transit. This latest step targets busy streets for foot traffic and greenery by 2026. Supporters say it fights climate change and boosts urban livability long-term.

Posts on X revealed a split with some hailing the progressive shift and others decrying a power grab. Residents in dense areas worry about access for deliveries or emergencies. Businesses fear lost trade if cars vanish from key routes.

The 4 percent vote came from a city of 2 million showing disengagement or fatigue. Hidalgo argues past elections gave her a clear green light regardless. Opponents say such a major shift needs broader buy-in to stick.

Past efforts like car-free Sundays won global praise but irked some locals. This plan dwarfs those in scope aiming to reshape Paris’s core layout. It aligns with EU goals to curb emissions though enforcement remains tricky.

Urban planners laud the ambition to rethink a historic car-centric capital. They note cities like Amsterdam thrived after similar shifts decades ago. Still Paris’s scale and density pose unique hurdles to going fully green.

Hidalgo faces legal pushback from drivers and merchants over the decree. Her team vows to press on with public forums to ease tensions. The road purge tests whether top-down change can outpace grassroots doubts.