Paris Gets What it Wanted: Fewer Cars in the City

Mayor Anne Hidalgo's efforts to improve air quality by reducing car trips in the city of Paris are paying off.

1 minute read

June 24, 2018, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Bike Traffic

Michel Passet / Shutterstock

Simon MacMichael reports from Paris, where the number of automobiles operating in the city is on the decline.

"The first five months of 2018 have seen the number of vehicles fall 6.5 per cent against the comparable period last year," reports MacMichael, sharing figures released recently by the city. "February saw the sharpest drop, with 705 vehicles recorded per kilometre per hour, down 11.4 per cent on the same month in 2017."

"The figures are being hailed as continuing proof of city hall’s efforts to fight air pollution, including a reform of paid parking, and reflect an acceleration of an existing trend that saw traffic fall by 3 per cent from 2003 to 2014 and by 4 per cent in the subsequent two years," according to MacMichael.

The articles include a lot more detail on the vehicle numbers, including details like number of vehicles traveling during the morning and commute and along specific streets.

Monday, June 11, 2018 in road.cc

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

3 hours ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

4 hours ago - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.