Paris Residents to Vote on Transforming 500 Streets into Car-Free Green Zones

The referendum, part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo's traffic transformation agenda, could eliminate 10,000 parking spaces and reshape urban mobility in the city.

The March 23 referendum will determine whether 500 streets in Paris are converted into car-free, green pedestrian zones, with results expected late Sunday evening.
The proposal would result in the removal of 10,000 parking spaces and require drivers to navigate alternative routes across the city.
This initiative is part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo's broader traffic transformation strategy, which has already introduced 220 car-free streets and increased cycling traffic by 71% between 2020 and 2023.
Critics argue the plan may disproportionately affect residents in outer districts with less developed public transportation infrastructure.
For the first time in Paris, 16- and 17-year-olds will be eligible to vote in the referendum, reflecting a broader push for public participation in urban planning.