Paris has announced that starting June 2025, the first Sunday of every month will be a car-free day citywide. This bold step aims to improve air quality and promote cycling, walking, and public transport.
The initiative, called “Paris Respire” (Paris Breathes), was tested in select neighborhoods and received overwhelming support. City officials say they saw a 40% drop in emissions and a 20% increase in foot traffic.
Urban planners in cities like Dhaka, Delhi, and Kathmandu are studying the program closely, especially as they battle worsening air pollution. Paris’s strategy could inspire similar clean air policies in congested Asian metros.
