Who Stands to Benefit from Speed Limit Reductions on the Boulevard Périphérique in Paris?

Proposed plans to reduce the speed limit and narrow the Boulevard Périphérique have sparked debate in Paris. If reelected, Mayor Anne Hidalgo wants to implement these changes in addition to other urban-mobility effective policies.

1 minute read

June 25, 2020, 5:00 AM PDT

By Lee Flannery @leecflannery


Ça c'est Paris

Leandro Neumann Ciuffo / Flickr

Mayor Anne Hidalgo, seeking reelection, proposed a plan to renovate the 22-mile-long Boulevard Périphérique, a ring road surrounding Paris' historic center. "The traffic-clogged urban highway plays a major role in Parisian mobility, but it’s also a prime contributor of pollution, both atmospheric and aural, as well as an all-but-impassable barrier severing the historic city from its inner suburbs," according to Feargus O'Sullivan. 

According to Mayor Hidalgo's recently released "Manifesto for Paris," plans include speed limit reduction to 30 kph (18.6 mph) for all of Paris Proper, childcare benefits for families, reduction in parking spaces, and permanent adoption of the cycle lanes introduced to manage the coronavirus crisis. The Périphérique would see a speed limit reduction to 50 kph (31 mph), dedicate a lane of traffic to zero-emission vehicles in addition to removing vehicle lanes.

There is disagreement among Parisians about who the proposed plan aims to serve. Some critics say that lower-income suburban commuters will be left to find new, slower ways to travel, as they rely on the Périphérique as a major metropolitan artery. "As the city continues to cautiously reopen from coronavirus restrictions, Parisians can expect increased anxiety about using trains and subways, making driving more appealing to those who have cars," explains O'Sullivan. Others argue that the same lower-income communities adjacent to the beltway suffer the most from the pollution it produces.

Thursday, June 18, 2020 in Bloomberg CityLab

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.

4 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.

5 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.

6 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.