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

2 minute read

December 9, 2016, 6:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


Paris towers

TAGSTOCK1 / Shutterstock

"Paris pollution consists of fine particles mostly from residential heating and cars," reports Elaine Beardsley, a Paris-based correspondent for National Public Radio. The pollution is "compounded by a weather phenomenon known as inversion where warmer, heavier air keeps colder air and pollution trapped on the ground."

The free transit comes with major costs, "around €4 million a day," about $4.2 million, reports Oliver Gee for The Localto be "footed by the region's transport authority STIF." It will continue for a fourth day, Friday, according to STIF.

An expert warns that the fine particulate pollution, which is emitted in higher concentrations from diesel vehicles than gasoline-powered cars, is so serious that breathing the ambient air for an hour can impact one's health. And that warrants extreme measures.

The inversion comes days after Paris, Athens, Mexico City, and Madrid agreed to ban diesel vehicles from their city centers.

As for the effectiveness of the driving restrictions, Gee writes that thousands of drivers ignore them On the first day, Dec. 6,  "1,700 were fined for flouting the ban."

However, changes are in store for drivers and their vehicles to replace the odd-even restrictions.

Paris will roll out new anti-pollution sticker system next year. During spikes in air pollution the most polluting vehicles will be banned instead of barring cars based on their number plates. 

Readers may recall that Mayor Hidalgo enacted similar restrictions due to unhealthy air quality in 2014 and 2015. In July, Paris banned vehicles older than 19 years from driving in the city on workdays. Apparently more measures are needed to protect Parisians' health.

Since wood burning was indicated as a source of air pollution, Paris could learn from regions in California that have enacted wood-burning restrictions. For example, in the Bay Area, "when a Winter Spare the Air Alert has been called, burning wood, firelogs, pellets, or any other solid fuels in your fireplace, woodstove, or other wood-burning device is illegal," warns the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).

Thursday, December 8, 2016 in NPR

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

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

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.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

30 minutes ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

1 hour ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

2 hours ago - Cities Today

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA