A Car Ban By Other Means

After failing to implement a car ban, Oslo officials are converting downtown street parking into public space.

2 minute read

July 2, 2018, 6:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Oslo officials made ambitious goals to cut the city's emissions by 95 percent by 2030, then a downtown car ban failed to pass. Still, officials didn't give up on cutting the significant portion of emissions that comes from private cars. "Instead of an outright car ban, Oslo has now announced a tactical-urbanism approach to limiting vehicle movement through the city center by simply removing all the parking spots from the area," Eillie Anzilotti reports for Fast Company.

The onstreet parking the city is reclaiming will be put to use in other means. "Some will be playgrounds or cultural events, or [contain] benches or bike parking—or other things you can fill the space with when you don’t have 1,200 kilograms of glass and steel," Oslo vice mayor for environment and transport Lan Marie Nguyen Berg recently said on the record for a separate article for The Guardian.

"Those plans are spelled out in more detail in the city’s outline for six pilot spaces, which include ideas for a beer garden and an 'outdoor living area' featuring different pieces of street furniture and an e-bench with wifi and charging capabilities," Anzilotti writes.

Officials hope that business and residents will benefit from the more walk-centric streets and become more enthusiastic about the move. If they don't, these changes are unlikely to stick and it will be hard for the city to hit its emission's goals.

Saturday, June 23, 2018 in Fast Company

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

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 minutes ago - Newsweek

Close-up on woman in white and blue striped knee-length dress standing next to mint green cruiser bike resting against low wrought iron fence in front of green lawn.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

1 hour ago - domus

Close-up of man in manually operated wheelchair waiting at urban crosswalk.

Making Mobility More Inclusive

A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

2 hours ago - Greater Good Magazine