Paris will transform into an urban oasis by 2030, replacing parking spaces with trees in a bold initiative to combat extreme heat caused by climate change.
According to Bloomberg, the new plan for the “City of Light” is ambitious: The Paris City Council has committed to reducing speed limits, redefining traffic lanes, removing 60,000 parking spaces, and replacing them with urban “oases” to tackle climate change.
The Paris authorities are betting on tree planting to fight unbearable heat.
By 2030, as reported by Bloomberg, Paris will have removed 60,000 parking spaces and replaced them with trees. This is part of the new Climate Plan for 2024-2030, which was released last week and will soon be voted on by the Paris City Council.
Paris has already gained international attention for its efforts to reduce carbon emissions in recent years, particularly over the past decade since Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo took office.
The climate plan, titled “Faster, Fairer, More Local,” promises to make the city greener, more resilient to extreme weather, more pedestrian-friendly, and less car-dependent.
To achieve this, Paris promises to create 300 hectares of new green spaces by 2030, with 10% of them to be completed by 2026.
The removal of parking spaces will be the most significant element of this plan, according to the agency.
For example, many spots on the sidewalks bordering streets can easily be replaced with rows of trees planted in a way that helps absorb rainwater.
The creation of “oasis squares” in each of Paris’ 20 districts will add more green spaces, where trees and structures (such as kiosks) will provide shade and sun protection for residents.
It is also noted that the management of extreme heat is addressed in other parts of the plan.
When temperatures rise dangerously in the French capital, a strong urban heat island effect occurs, and many homes and businesses lack air conditioning.
The plan includes more air-conditioned rooms and considers adjusting the daily eight-hour work schedule for those working outdoors and at risk of heatstroke. Additionally, “cool roofs” will be installed on 1,000 public buildings.
Pedestrianization will continue rapidly, with the Paris City Council aiming to create a car-free core in the “heart” of each district.
These proposals are likely to pass in a council where the Socialist Mayor’s coalition holds a majority.
Anne Hidalgo has earned a reputation as a mayor with a strong ecological conscience, as she has strictly prohibited polluting vehicles in the heart of Paris, reduced car space in many areas, and lowered speed limits.
