“Rue-jardin”: Jacques Baudrier’s (PCF) formula may sound like an oxymoron, but it effectively summarizes Paris’ latest invention to make the city greener. According to the Deputy Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s (PS) adjunct responsible for overseeing construction projects and coordinating public space works, the recipe is simple: “Get rid of all cars, pedestrianize the area, and maximize greenery by planting trees and vegetation strips in the ground.” However, beyond this somewhat provocative statement, the reality is more complex, adds the elected official: “We need streets without parking entrances, with low traffic, sufficiently wide and without underground utilities to be able to plant trees.”
