Paris's Urban Transformation: Mayor Hidalgo's Enduring Legacy
The banks of the Seine, once the bustling Voie Georges-Pompidou expressway, have been transformed into pedestrianized public spaces, redefining a key part of Paris. This significant change now facilitates recreational activities and annually hosts the popular artificial Paris Plages event. A mere decade ago, this route accommodated up to 2,700 vehicles per hour, making its closure a controversial move.
The closure was initially met with widespread controversy, including petitions, lawsuits, and police opposition, alongside concerns about traffic congestion, which ultimately proved unfounded.
Outgoing Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, a prominent champion of the riverside road's pedestrianization, concludes her 12-year tenure with a strong sense of accomplishment. She expressed a firm conviction that once pedestrianized, the public would not want to revert to previous conditions—a sentiment she believes has been decisively realized.
Reducing Car Usage and Pollution
During her 25 years in Parisian governance, including 12 as mayor, Hidalgo consistently implemented policies aimed at significantly reducing private car usage in central Paris. These included increased parking costs, vehicle bans in specific areas (particularly near schools), and the creation of an extensive 1,500 km network of cycle lanes. These measures have contributed to a halving of air pollution, with bicycles now becoming more popular than cars within the city.
Accolades and Recognition
Hidalgo's policies have been widely recognized for making Paris greener and cleaner in terms of pollution. In 2024, both Time and Forbes magazines acknowledged her for her profound influence in addressing the climate crisis. She also received the Urban Land Institute award for making Paris "a healthier, more inclusive and more livable city," and the prestigious UN Global Climate Action award at Cop26.
Hidalgo advised that mayors require a clear vision and high aspirations, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing the climate crisis. She noted that urban change demands strategy, determination, and an acceptance of potential unpopularity, as individuals may naturally resist shifts in their habits.
"Urban change requires strategy, determination, and an acceptance of potential unpopularity, as individuals may resist changes to habits."
Navigating Crisis: Terror Attacks and Resilience
Her administration also confronted the devastating aftermath of a series of terror attacks and suicide bombings that tragically resulted in 161 fatalities and 446 injuries. Hidalgo stated these events deeply affected both her and the city, fostering a profound determination to defend the Parisian way of life.
The campaign to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games was described as an integral part of a healing process, intended to generate enthusiasm and refocus the city on its future. The Games also provided significant impetus and financial resources to accelerate crucial urban improvement projects, notably enabling swimming in the Seine, a feat previously considered unattainable.
Greener, More Livable Paris: Key Achievements
City hall reports indicate remarkable progress under her leadership:
- 155,000 trees have been planted.
- Nearly 63,000 hectares of new green spaces created.
- The proportion of affordable social housing increased from 13% in 2001 to 25%, aiming to retain young families in the city.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite these achievements, critics have raised concerns, particularly regarding an increase in city debt, which rose from €4.18 billion in 2014 to a projected €9.7 billion by the end of the current year. Accusations of authoritarianism and unpopularity among motorists have also been voiced.
Hidalgo dismissed recent criticisms regarding her use of mayoral allowance for haute couture dresses for Olympic ceremonies, stating she aimed to represent the city and a French fashion house with dignity. She pointedly questioned whether a male predecessor would face similar scrutiny for suit expenses.
Lingering Issues and Hidalgo's Legacy
Paris continues to face persistent challenges such as littering, graffiti, and homelessness. Hidalgo attributed littering to "undisciplined" local people and tourists.
She articulated her legacy as fostering a more peaceful city with less noise, more pedestrian space, and increased parks and gardens, all with the overarching goal of improving people's lives. She expressed deep satisfaction with her work, believing the public can clearly observe the improvements.