France

Macron Protest

France Drops Road Tolling Plans Amid Fuel Tax Protests

Controversial London-style congestion pricing won't be coming to French cities due to concerns sparked by the 'Yellow Vest' protests over an upcoming fuel tax hike, but President Macron stated the fuel tax increases will go forward in January.

November 30, 2018 - Reuters

Macron Protest

Fuel Tax Hike Revolt Threatens French President Macron's Leadership

Anger at fuel tax increases planned for January, part of a pro-Green agenda espoused by President Emmanuel Macron, has sparked a populous movement involving hundreds of thousands of protestors that have taken to the streets, erupting into violence.

November 26, 2018 - CityLab

Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe

French Suburbs Join Paris in Diesel Ban

The ban on diesel cars now extends well beyond the city of Paris.

November 20, 2018 - CityLab

Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe

France Could Implement Congestion Charging in Several Large Cities

France is considering a congestion charge for several of its largest cities, modeled after congestion charges in London, Singapore, and more.

October 20, 2018 - BBC

Genova Bridge

Government Blames Deadly Bridge Collapse on Toll Company

At least 39 people died when the Ponte Morandi bridge collapsed in Genoa, Italy during a storm on Tuesday. The cable-stayed bridge is part of a viaduct on the A10 toll road that goes to France, operated and maintained by Autostrada per l'Italia.

August 16, 2018 - NPR

Channel Train Cars

With No Plan for Brexit in Place, the Channel Tunnel Hangs in the Balance

About 20 million tons of freight moves through the Channel Tunnel between England and France every year. The process for moving that freight could vary depending on how Brexit goes down.

July 5, 2018 - Quartz

Bike Traffic

Paris Gets What it Wanted: Fewer Cars in the City

Mayor Anne Hidalgo's efforts to improve air quality by reducing car trips in the city of Paris are paying off.

June 24, 2018 - road.cc

Tailpipe

Another Nail in the Coffin of the Internal Combustion Engine?

Is the movement away from gasoline and diesel-powered cars unstoppable? In response to air pollution litigation, the British government announced on July 26 that sales of gasoline and diesel vehicles would be banned by 2040.

July 31, 2017 - The New York Times

Self-Driving Bus

In Europe, Self-Drivers Focus on Augmenting Transit

Unlike the American focus on luxury personal self-drivers, the European approach favors small self-driving buses that can ferry riders to larger transit lines.

May 31, 2017 - The New York Times

Paris Trees

Paris Targets Vacant Second Homes With 60% Tax

7.5 percent of homes in the French capital have no one living in them.

March 31, 2017 - Better Dwelling

Champs-Elysees

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.

January 12, 2017 - The Independent

France Opened the First Solar Roadway Built For Cars

A bike path in the Netherlands has been generating solar power since 2014, but the first example of a solar roadway built for cars opened this week in France.

December 23, 2016 - The Guardian

Ça c'est Paris

Paris Climate Accord Will Take Effect November 4

October 5 was an historic day, hailed President Obama, as nations responsible for emitting more than 55 percent of world carbon emissions have now signed the Paris climate agreement, the threshold needed for the accord to take effect in 30 days.

October 8, 2016 - Reuters

Bollards

Pedestrians Need Protection from Motor Vehicles Used as Deadly Weapons

As of press time on Friday, the death toll from the Nice Bastille Day massacre is 84, injuries exceeding 200, a record for an act of alleged terrorism committed by a single person. It also sets a record for death by the use of a motor vehicle.

July 16, 2016 - NBC News

Paris Skyline

Paris to Begin Serious Car Restrictions on July 1

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.

June 3, 2016 - CityLab

Pont Neuf

In Paris, Tough Talk on Income Segregation

As is so often the case worldwide, many Parisians live in communities distinguished by class. The city government wants to change that by inserting thousands of public housing units in wealthy central districts.

May 31, 2016 - CityLab

Paris Metro Train

8 Lessons from the Paris Metro

Transportation planner Dan Malouff shares eight insights into what makes the Paris Metro one of the world's great subways.

May 3, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

Paris, River Seine

Paris Prepares for the Worst With a Flood Drill

If the Seine rises to historic levels, Paris officials want to be ready. Earlier this month, an 11-day drill sought to prepare the city for what would happen if the Seine and Marne Rivers rose above their banks.

March 21, 2016 - The Independent (UK)

Affordable Housing

Using the Wrong Tools to Build Affordable Housing

What's the best way to deliver long-term affordable housing?

March 11, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

$25 Billion Paris Métro Extension—Grand Ambitions Included

The scale of the Line 14 subway extension is enough to impress any American transit advocate.

February 12, 2016 - The Atlantic

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.

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