2024-11-19 08:19:00
The mayor of Paris, socialist Anne Hidalgo, during meetings of the Place publique movement, in La Réole (Gironde), October 5, 2024. THIBAUD MORITZ / AFP
Like an air of assessment of the term of office. The Paris Council, which begins Tuesday, November 19, promises to be the final great political moment of Anne Hidalgo’s second – and possibly last – mandate. A little less than a year and a half before the municipal elections for which the socialist deputy of Paris Emmanuel Grégoire, former first deputy of Anne Hidalgo, has just declared himself a candidate, it is an opportunity for the Parisian executive to mark the main axes of its policy carried out for ten years by giving them global coherence orchestrated around four strategic plans. Synthesize the general political narrative before the electoral race for 2026 begins, facing an opposition ready on the starting line, determined not to make any concessions.
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The color given by the majority to the projects submitted to the vote this week has never been so green. The climate plan, the local bioclimatic urban planning plan, the environmental health plan and the resilience plan are all interconnected and focused around the same issue: succeeding in making Paris a city that remains habitable in a climate crisis which has already started.
In the climate plan, planned for the period 2024-2030, this translates into a set of 500 medium and long-term measures, which outline the capital’s fight against climate change. Reduction of the carbon footprint and energy consumption, development of renewables, revegetation, refreshing of public spaces, thermal renovation of buildings, priority for cycling over cars, preservation and valorization of water resources… the subjects are as diverse as numerous, too many, even, for the Les Républicains group, which sees it as a “Prévert inventory” et “lots of empty promises”, when Changer Paris (the group of Rachida Dati, the mayor of the 7th arrondissement) denounces a “catch-all document aligning promises without guarantees of achievement”.
“Directist vision”
Create 300 hectares of green spaces? Impossible, believes the vice-president of the Changer Paris group, David Alphand, who calculated that this was equivalent to “420 football fields” and does not see how to achieve this unless it includes Parisian cemeteries. It is also in this plan that we find the establishment of the limited traffic zone in the center of Paris, the lowering of the speed on the ring road to 50 km/h or the increase in the parking rate. for heavy vehicles, all measures vigorously denounced by the opposition.
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What impact has Mayor Hidalgo’s ‘100% bikeable’ initiative had on Parisian urban mobility policies?
**Interview with Parisian Urban Policy Expert, Dr. Clara Fontaine**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Dr. Fontaine. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the evolving landscape of urban policy in Paris, especially under Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s leadership as she approaches the end of her term.
**Dr. Fontaine:** Good morning, thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** As we know, Mayor Hidalgo has been advocating for a ‘100% bikeable’ Paris. How do you assess this initiative in the context of her broader environmental policies?
**Dr. Fontaine:** The initiative to create a bikeable Paris is not just about promoting cycling; it’s part of a larger vision for sustainable urban living. This aligns with her climate plan and other environmental initiatives, aiming to reduce car dependency and improve air quality. It’s a strategic move to position Paris as a leader in urban sustainability.
**Interviewer:** What have been some of the public reactions to these plans?
**Dr. Fontaine:** Public reaction has been mixed. Many residents appreciate the focus on cycling and green spaces, believing it enhances quality of life. However, some argue that it disrupts traditional transportation routes and may create inconveniences. It highlights the challenge of balancing progressive policies with the needs of all residents.
**Interviewer:** With the upcoming municipal elections in 2026 and Emmanuel Grégoire emerging as a candidate, how do you see Hidalgo’s policies influencing the electoral landscape in Paris?
**Dr. Fontaine:** Hidalgo’s policies will likely shape the narratives of her successors and opponents. If her initiatives yield tangible benefits, they could bolster support for Grégoire. Conversely, if these projects face significant criticism, it could provide fertile ground for opposition parties. The key will be communication—how effectively they can communicate successes and address any perceived failures.
**Interviewer:** And lastly, as Paris navigates towards a more sustainable future, what lessons might other cities draw from Hidalgo’s policies?
**Dr. Fontaine:** Other cities can learn from the emphasis on integrated environmental plans—connecting urban development with climate resilience. The importance of public engagement is also crucial. Ensuring that residents feel consulted and that their needs are met can mitigate backlash and foster community support for ambitious urban projects.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Fontaine, for your insights. It’s clear that the future of Paris is one of both opportunity and challenge as it seeks to balance sustainability with resident needs.
**Dr. Fontaine:** Thank you for having me. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds in the coming months.
