Fewer Cars, More Trees: Paris Transforms Its Ring Road

Moving from “the gray belt to the green belt”: this is the goal of the Paris city hall, which has just unveiled its plan for transforming the périphérique.

Presented as the result of a consultative effort with various stakeholders, the plan for transforming the Parisian périphérique proposes reducing the number of lanes. Thus, the lane reserved for athletes during the 2024 Olympic Games may not be reopened to motorists (or not to all). Beyond the event, the city of Paris indeed aims to reserve it for public transport or carpooling users. Then, by 2030, the goal is to switch to 2X3 lanes (including the lane reserved for public transport) along the entire périphérique. In other words, the number of lanes open to all motorists will have been halved if the plan is implemented.

Transforming the “reclaimed” spaces

Meanwhile, the gates must gradually be transformed into squares. The Pouchet, Lilas, Vanves, and Pantin gates will have undergone this change by the end of the year. The others will follow gradually, with the aim of transforming 22 gates into squares by 2030.

The reclaimed spaces — as the Paris city hall calls them — will mostly be landscaped. If the plan proceeds as scheduled, the périphérique will be surrounded on both sides by a true “green” strip of 500 meters by 2030. In parallel, hundreds of trees will be planted on the central median and embankments. An “exploitation of tunnels” is also part of the project, but without further details.

Through this plan, the city of Paris hopes to reconnect with neighboring municipalities and improve the living conditions of more than 500,000 residents living near the périphérique. Aware that these changes may not please everyone, it commits to continuing the development of public transportation to reduce dependence on cars.

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