Paris
European Infrastructure Approach Highlights U.S. Shortcomings
As the U.S. plods towards an underwhelming federal infrastructure deal that will funnel billions into building new roads for drivers, Europe makes strides towards saving its most vulnerable road users and the climate.
August 9, 2021
Champs-Élysées Makeover Inspires U.S. Advocates To Push for Better City Arterials
As Parisians celebrate a new plan to pedestrianize the Champs-Élysées and cut car traffic in half, Americans street safety advocates demand redesigns for their own cities' dangerous downtown arteries.
January 12, 2021
The Joy and Freedom of a City Without Car Traffic
On Sunday, streets all over Paris belonged to people biking, walking, and riding transit.
October 2, 2017
What American Commuter Rail Can Learn From Paris, Part 2
In Europe it's common for regional rail systems to get ridership comparable to that of the subway in the central city. But in America, this is unheard of. One reason for the discrepancy is land use: American commuter rail stations are typically surrounded by parking, while in the Paris region you see a different pattern with ample development next to suburban train stations.
February 15, 2017
What American Commuter Rail Can Learn From Paris
In the U.S., regional rail is mostly good for one type of trip: the commute. But in Paris, regional rail is oriented toward all types of trips, and people ride throughout the day, not just at rush hour. One key to success is running frequent, predictable service all day long.
February 13, 2017
Talking Headways: How France Melds High-Speed Rail With Cities, Part 2
Part two of our discussion of French high-speed rail and cities covers how France approaches infrastructure projects of national significance, the challenges of building the Grand Paris Express rail expansion, and the latent opportunities of San Jose's Diridon station.
February 10, 2017
Adieu, Cars: Paris Riverfront to Be Permanently Returned to the People
After years of experimentation, the Paris City Council this week committed to the permanent conversion of two miles of the Georges Pompidou expressway along the River Seine into a waterfront park.
September 28, 2016
Paris to Return Its Great Public Squares to the People
If you look at paintings from the pre-automotive era, Paris's monumental public squares were full of people strolling comfortably. But over time, car traffic has consumed most of these squares.
September 19, 2016
Two Key Factors That Can Make or Break a Bike-Share Network
What if you could dramatically increase the usefulness of a bike-share system without adding any bicycles or docks? Researchers at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business have come up with a model that they say could help even the most successful bike-share systems in the world get more bang for the buck.
March 26, 2015