It’s the same with so many pedestrianised spaces. Every one becomes a cherished space for locals, boosts the economy. And every one was fought tooth and nail by those insisting car travel must be prioritized
It’s often the local businesses who do the whining, being afraid that customers can’t or won’t access their store.
But if you just look at the picture, it’s pretty easy to see a larger number of potential customers in the after picture. You can’t really sell shit to people in cars unless you have a drive-in.
A big part is that business owners also don’t want to lose their own parking spaces. So selfish and petty but as expected.
And a fucking shit ton of (space reserved just for car) parking!
It’s one of the culture wars that’s definitely worth fighting.
I visited Paris this summer and was amazed by the nice walking areas and parks surrounding the Seine river. They even put up showers and mist curtains to help tourists and sportives deal with the heat.
Even here in Oklahoma City, in the middle of the reddest state in the US, we’ve added a massive walkable park in the middle of the city with heat relief misting stations, water parks, we’re in the middle of converting several roads and blocks into walkable neighborhoods, we’re adding greenbelts to the city in various spots to connect walkable areas and parks. Just last month our modern trolly system went from a small but annoying fare to permanently completely free for any rider. If we can do it, everyone can
That’s amazing, gives me hope for red states
It just goes show you that conservatives outside red red areas want to take away from the others even if it is against their interests. Red red areas have these things because there’s no bogeyman to blame for why public works are impossible.
It’s too bad that they removed the public seating though. Sitting next to water is nice
Looks like they removed all the concrete the benches were sitting on, exposed dirt next to the river is a good choice for many reasons.
Such as? I can only come up with a vague “drainage maybe?”
Dirt is cooler than concrete. You can plant stuff in it to reduce temperatures and provide habitat for wildlife.
Oh, I know that. I guess your wording made me think there was some unique benefit to having dirt next to the river.
It looks like theres some seating closer to the camera and also there’s a kid on a swing. There could be seating hidden by the trees.
I like the more natural aesthetic that the newer video has. The exposured mulch/dirt is probably better for the trees anyways.
Good eye. It makes me wonder.
They added some too if you like at the bottom of the frame.
The homeless situation in Paris is pretty extreme, at least it was when I visited in 2015
I was in Paris just last week and sure there were cars, but the amount of people that I seen using public transportation was unreal. It helps that they made the metro affordable for pretty much everyone.
(€2.55 (~$2.94 USD) flat fee across the Paris region, including Paris-to-suburbs, but excluding going to the Airports which are €14 (~$16.15 USD). Bus and Tram is €2.05 (~$2.36 USD) flat fee across the Paris region)
Walking was mostly what I did because I am simply in awe of the architecture across the city.
Yall are apparently so spoiled that you think it wasn’t pleasant before. A wide sidewalk, barely any cars, going slowly.
If you want a real horrorshow, check out Saint Petersburg’s Neva embankments, which are major arterial roads where cars often go 100 km/h. There are pretty spacious sidewalks, but it’s impossible to hear yourself think on there because of the cars.
I can see my bicycle over there in the bottom of that water, next to some cake recommending ladies head!
Why’d they remove the benches though? Seems like they’d be even more useful next to a walking path.
People visit Paris and think this waterfront was always pleasant
The road marks are still visible.
It’s not uncommon for shared paths and bike lanes to have road-style dividing lines.
actually it was pleasant before too. now it’s pleasanter.
Devil’s advocate they did choose a gloomy day for the car video. And they did remove the benches. Sitting down to enjoy the day at that spot is great. Having to walk around is not great for some.
What is it even supposed to mean
the clue may be on the community’s name
No fuck you, I’m not a car
You are supposed to fuck the cars, silly!
It means, we have to fight for beauty, build enjoyability. It doesn’t come by itself.
Is that the road from Taken? With a tunnel further up?
I thought of The Bourne Identity, the car chase with the mini.
