Paris today made its first use of a drastic plan to improve air quality in the city: ban half of the cars on the road. The ban could continue tomorrow if the current air pollution alert does not improve.
John Lichfield reports on the first implementation of a radical plan to curb pollution in Paris.
"[Today] will be an odd day in Paris," according to Lichfield. "The government has triggered a pollution control law which allows it to ban half the private cars in the greater Paris area."
The article also provides details about how the program works and how local police forces will enforce the ban. The plan is part of an ambitious approach to terrible air quality conditions that made news last year. The decision to enforce the ban today was also the subject of political intrigue in the city.
On a related note, Sarah Laskow recently wrote a speculative article for New York magazine considering the possibility of a U.S. city someday (maybe soon) banning all cars.
Read the full story: French government launches new law allowing it to ban half the private cars in Paris
The Car-Free Revolution Continues in Paris
The city continues to reclaim space for pedestrians and cyclists.
In Oslo, Streets for People, Not Cars
New measures will greatly reduce vehicle traffic in the city center as Oslo moves to put pedestrians, cyclists, and air quality before cars.
French Suburbs Join Paris in Diesel Ban
The ban on diesel cars now extends well beyond the city of Paris.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember
Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.
New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks
Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade homeowners $2,700 in 2028.
Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms
The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority