Paris' Hôtel de Ville Transformed into a Green Oasis
Paris is transforming into a greener city, with Mayor Anne Hidalgo leading the way. A long-term study confirms that these changes can save hundreds of lives annually. The latest addition, a city forest at the Hôtel de Ville, was inaugurated in June 2025, much to the delight of Parisians and online viewers.
The city forest, completed in time for the Fête de la Musique, is designed to improve air quality and serve as a cooling zone. It features 50 large trees and over 20,000 plants, with two historic fountains integrated into the greenery. Hidalgo plans to expand this greening initiative, aiming to create an additional 300 hectares of public green spaces by 2035. This includes transforming the Place du Colonel-Fabien and expanding pedestrian zones on Montmartre hill.
Hidalgo's vision is to make Paris a '15-minute city' by 2025, where daily needs can be reached within 15 minutes by bike or metro. To achieve this, she has implemented measures such as closing the Seine riverbanks to cars, expanding bike lanes, and increasing SUV parking fees.
The city forest at the Hôtel de Ville is a testament to Hidalgo's commitment to greening Paris. Upon completion, it will provide a green retreat for residents and visitors, improving the city's air quality and quality of life. These initiatives are expected to reduce car usage and save lives, as confirmed by a long-term study.
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