The carefree days of driving any-old-junker-they-please are over for Parisians, and they'll be even further obsolete when the calendar changes from June to July.
"If your car was built before 1997, don’t even think about driving it into Paris after this month," proclaims a post by Feagus O'Sullivan for CityLab. "From July 1, the French capital will ban vehicles older than 19 years from driving in the city on workdays."
O'Sullivan describes the new driving regulations as "some of the toughest restrictions on drivers" in any European city, prescribed to counter worsening air pollution in the famous city. The new policy has persevered a tough political process, with the city's socialist mayor pushing back on the national government, and periodic driving bans.
The post includes more details of the current driving restrictions, as well as what to expect from the ongoing implementation of future, and even more strict, restrictions.
FULL STORY: Yes, Paris Is Banning Cars Built Before 1997
French Suburbs Join Paris in Diesel Ban
The ban on diesel cars now extends well beyond the city of Paris.
Less and Less of Paris Open to Cars
Paris Mayor Anne Hildalgo announced a new plan to further restrict cars and trucks from the city center.
Choking Air Pollution in Paris Prompts Driving Restrictions and Free Transit
A weather inversion has caused the highest air pollution in the French capital in ten years. To coax commuters from their cars, free transit and odd-even license plate driving restrictions were enacted by Mayor Anne Hidalgo on Tuesday
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)