In Oslo, Streets for People, Not Cars

Oslo wants the city to be more pedestrian friendly and environmentally sustainable, and it is restricting vehicle access to the city center, reports Jonathan Wolfe:

The city designated certain streets for pedestrians or public transit only, restricted the ability of nonresidents to drive through the center, and removed hundreds of parking spots from city streets while creating designated parking spots for disabled citizens and businesses that require a car.

The plan to get rid of cars in the city center started in 2015, and officials overcame resistance from business owners concerned that a full ban on cars would lead to a decrease in customers.

Wolfe notes that other cities are also instituting measures to decrease car traffic, promote zero-emissions zones, and improve cycling and pedestrian access. Madrid and London have car bans in place, and Madrid, Paris, Athens, and Mexico City have pledged to ban diesel cars from their city centers by 2025.