A poll gave Parisians direct say over which projects the city government will implement with a new participatory budget. Some city residents relished the opportunity to express their preferences. Others raised concerns.
Earlier this year, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo announced an innovative program: 426 million Euros set aside through 2020 to build urban improvements chosen directly by Parisians. From the article: "It’s the largest sum of public money ever to have been allocated to such a scheme." From a ballot of 15 projects, the Budget Participatif poll (open September 24 – October 1) selected nine for construction. All Paris residents were encouraged to vote, even those without French citizenship.
The projects chosen this year will cost a total of 20 million Euros. Among them are vegetation walls to improve urban biodiversity, funds for school gardens, new cultural venues to enliven abandoned areas, mobile trash collection points, and co-working spaces for young entrepreneurs. Rejected proposals included some unusual projects: pop-up pools and birthday party "tipis," among others.
Many residents applaud the new program, citing its democratic intentions and inclusiveness. Some see it as an important first step toward directly consulting residents on a wider range of budgetary decisions. Parisians will be able to submit their own proposals online for consideration on next year’s ballot.
The program also drew criticism. Some believe it is a frivolous use of city funding on "Anne Hidalgo’s pet projects that fail to address real problems." Others complain the government failed to make project details clear. Another issue is possible voter fraud: the online poll required only an email address, allowing repeat votes.
FULL STORY: Parisians have their say on city’s first €20m ‘participatory budget’
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.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
River Seine ‘Teeming’ With Life
Decades of restoration efforts are yielding positive results as dozens of species of fish return to the once-polluted waterway.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.
Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.
In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont