Anne Hidalgo's Legacy: Transforming Paris Amidst Mixed Reactions

Anne Hidalgo, the first female mayor of Paris, has significantly transformed the city over her 12-year tenure, prioritizing pedestrian-friendly initiatives and reducing car traffic. While tourists enjoy cleaner air and safer streets, many residents express dissatisfaction with increased congestion and declining public transport usage. Hidalgo's policies, including the 'Paris Breathes' campaign, aimed to create a more walkable city, but have led to a 4% rise in traffic jams since 2015 and a 31% drop in bus ridership. As she steps down, the debate over the balance between cycling infrastructure and public transport continues, with her successor's election imminent.

Key Details: • Hidalgo served as mayor from 2014 to 2024, focusing on pedestrianization and cycling. • Traffic jams in Paris increased by 4% since 2015, with bus usage dropping by 31%. • The election for Hidalgo's successor is taking place soon, with ongoing debates about urban transport policies.