RECLAIM PUBLIC SPACE

Public spaces are an important asset to our cities. Here’s why.

Public space is essential for life. With the majority of the world’s populations living in metropolitan areas, public space is a key factor for well-being and health. Public space contributes to children’s development, community life, reduces stress levels and improves mental health and well-being. Yet public space is a key component of city infrastructure that is often overlooked. (Metropolis)

Besides benefiting people’s health, public space helps build a sense of community, civic identity and culture; can drive economic growth; transforms wasted space; and if utilised and designed well, can give a city character and enhance architectural diversity.

Paris is removing half its street parking to free up space for people. Nearly 70,000 parking spots are set to go by 2025. The move is the latest chapter in Paris’s crusade against excessive car use. Cars in Paris take up 50% of public space despite accounting for only 13% of journeys. This year, Paris invested €300 million to create 680 km of cycleways. (World Economic Forum)

Can you imagine how our streets can transform from car parks into valuable public space? You don’t have to imagine. Paris shows us how it is done!

(Cycling Professor)
(Pictures by @EmmanuelSPV)