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# The Parisian Al Gore?
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/19119/
- Published: 2007-02-28T13:02:37.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:35:55.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:23

**by Jessica Reed**

Paris' mayor, [Bertrand Delanoë](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand%5FDelano%C3%AB?ref=opendemocracy.net), has been criticized in the past for implementing extravagant projects in the heart of the capital (I am thinking about [Paris Plage (BBC)](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3914649.stm?ref=opendemocracy.net), an initiative which involves tons of sand and a fewpalm trees thrown along the Seine, with a couple of towels and [a ban (Telegraph)](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/07/31/wbeach31.xml&ref=opendemocracy.net) on both topless sunbathing and thong-wearing).

His new annoucement is subsantially more interesting (and courageous): he recently unveiled his plans to cut traffic in the capital by 40% in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases emmissions. From [Streetsblog](http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/02/13/paris-approves-plan-to-reduce-traffic-by-40-by-2020/?ref=opendemocracy.net):

*The plan includes the extension of the recently terminated tramway all the way to the Porte d'Asnières in the north-west of the city by 2013\. *The addition of "civilised thoroughfares" will give priority to buses and bicycles*, while the troubled line 13 will see further trains and a new signal system.*

**Transport will be free for those living under the poverty threshold, while the banks of the Seine will become fully pedestrianised.** Indeed, a number of areas may become pedestrianised throughout the city, while speed limits will be reduced in areas such as Beaubourg.

Now that's what I'm talking about.

As for talks about a Parisian congestion charge, they are usually met with much skeptisicm (many politicians find the principle discriminatory) but are [slowly making their way](http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3214,36-855977@51-866481,0.html?ref=opendemocracy.net) through a possible shift of mentalities (Le Monde, in french).

And about cheaper tube and buses tickets, which use I suppose we want to encourage? Maybe Ken could consider free transport for Londonians living under the poverty threshold as well. The current 4 pounds for a single underground ticket (that's 8 dollars, or 6 euros) is often met with raised eyebrows from my French broke-and-students friends visiting our fair city.