In a referendum held yesterday in Paris, it was decided that 500 streets and avenues in the city would be pedestrianized and greened.
On Sunday, March 23, residents of the capital went to the polls to answer the question: "Are they for or against the greening and pedestrianization of 500 streets spread across all neighborhoods in Paris?"
According to the statement made by the Paris Municipality, an overwhelming majority of Parisian citizens who participated in the vote, with 66 percent, voted in favor of pedestrianizing and greening the streets and avenues.
The vote concerned pedestrianised and planted “garden streets”, following Paris’ ban on self-service scooters and the introduction of a special parking fee for SUVs.
Unlike previous voting in the capital, this Sunday's vote was open to a younger audience.
“I have decided to open the vote to people aged 16 and over because I believe that the participation of young people in social life is one of the essential conditions for the survival of our democracies,” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said in January.
Voting took place in all districts of the capital, with 223 polling stations remaining open from 9am to 7pm.
Paris’ deputy mayor, Patrick Bloche, announced in January that the creation of 500 car-free streets would “potentially” eliminate 10 parking spaces. The regional councils will now determine the most suitable streets.
