Car free visions of areas in London, Paris, and New York help residents support a future with fewer cars
New proposals for pedestrianisation in iconic areas in London, Paris, and New York have been proven to encourage residents to support a future with fewer cars.
Polling participants were asked if they supported pedestrianisation of the areas in principle, for which there was support, but were then asked again after seeing the vision which boosted overall support across the board.
In London, support was 49% prior to seeing the proposals but then jumped to 72% after; in Paris, support was 58% prior to seeing the proposals but then jumped to 69% after; and in New York, support was 60% prior to seeing the proposals but then jumped to 74% after.
The visions were co-produced with a group of diverse city residents that attended workshops in each of the cities. They toured the respective areas, took part in group discussions, and developed ideas to be incorporated into the visions.
The Car Free Megacities campaign is calling on the mayors of each of the three cities to take bold action and realise the visions in order to reduce car dominance in their cities.
The Car Free Megacities is about creating more urban space for people and nature, clearing cities of air pollution and promoting healthy, active travel like walking and cycling. It is a collaboration between climate charity Possible, think tank the New Weather Institute, Paris sans Voiture, Brooklyn Spoke, Transportation Alternatives, Westminster University’s Active Travel Academy, and Glimpse, supported by the KR Foundation, and Brompton.
Globally, 21.6% of all emissions come from road transportation – the bulk of which comes from private cars. Reducing private car use in cities is vital in protecting residents’ health and addressing the climate crisis.
Hirra Khan Adeogun, Head of Car Free Cities at climate charity Possible, said:
“The vision of a car-free Hyde Park Corner shows just how transformative traffic reduction can and will be. Our shared spaces can be beautiful, they can support thriving communities, bring nature back to cities, and we can be healthier and happier. These visions are bold and that boldness clearly resonates with people. People want fewer cars in their cities and they want politicians to take serious climate action so our cities work for people and the planet.”
Doug Gordon, a livable streets activist in Brooklyn, and Project Manager for Car Free Megacities in Paris, said:
“Making areas of cities car-free or car-lite is often portrayed in the press as controversial, but when you actually ask people what they want it's clear that having the option to enjoy spaces with fewer cars is popular. Creating places for people, not cars is not just good for health, or even a necessary part of fighting climate change, it's also a political winner.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Proposals for all three cities and the polling data can be found HERE.
For media enquiries and further information please contact press@wearepossible.org or 07806431577.
Hirra Khan Adeogun, Head of Car Free Cities at climate charity Possible, is available for comment. Please contact press@wearepossible.org for more information.
Possible is a UK-based charity that brings people together to take positive, practical action on climate change. Combining individual and local actions with larger systemic change, we connect people with each other, and communities with ways to address the climate crisis. wearepossible.org.