‘Paris Is Redesigning Its Major Intersections For Pedestrians, Not Cars’
Paris is planning seven major reconstructions of the city roads. Currently, these squares have very congested designs that are overflowing with automobiles. Not only do the traffics create environmental problems but they also create noise and visual pollution. However, the projects are aiming to give pedestrian at least 50% of the space in the square. With the added space, it will provide green spaces for people to sit and some will host new weekly market. The reasoning for the change is many but one factor addresses the evolution of the future cars (shared vehicles and electric vehicles). The construction is set to take place in 2017.
This article really made me think about something I did not explore before – how will sustainability shape our future? Up until now, I realized that I have only thought about smaller scale changes that sustainability is brining. For example, discovering greener ways to manufacture goods or creating new energies to fuel cars and other machines. However, these smaller and everyday changes effect much greater impacts. The electric cars were a result of searching for a greener solution and its benefits sparked further innovations into autonomous driving. Although this technology is yet to be finalized, it will bring a safer travelling experience. However, beyond this safety and greener power benefits, experts state that these autonomous vehicles will help make the lanes narrower. This could result in more real estate for green space, less use of asphalt material, reduced vision pollution and etc.
We are only starting to dedicate major effort into sustainability and I am very excited to witness what sustainability will bring for our world. There are new facts and solutions that are tackling the issues that were destroying our world. It makes me wonder why we were so blinded to the environmental impacts before the crisis was so evident. Finite resources were facts and population issue was well noted in the previous years as well. I feel that I now have a role in this world to stay true to the sustainability issue of our world and genuinely devote my efforts into making a better world.
Article: http://www.fastcoexist.com/3058685/paris-is-redesigning-its-major-intersections-for-pedestrians-not-cars
