Reconquering the Banks of Paris

Paris plans to eventually phase out automobiles in the city center in order to create a pedestrian friendly riverbank.

1 minute read

May 12, 2010, 5:00 AM PDT

By Akshali Gandhi


For the betterment of locals, tourists, and the air, the banks of Paris hope to be be car-free by 2012.

As TIME magazine reports, what is currently a once-a-week pedestrian experiment has plans to evolve into a no-car zone along the Seine River.

"It's about reducing pollution and automobile traffic, and giving Parisians more opportunities for happiness," Mayor Delanoë said at the April 14 project unveiling. "If we succeed in doing this, I believe it will profoundly change Paris."

Paris is the third French city to discontinue the automobile near riverbanks, after Bordeaux and Lyon. Other measures to curtail driving have included expanded parks, bikeshares, lower speed limits and wider sidewalks.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 in Time

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

6 hours ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

June 16 - UNM News