Lesson made on March 25, 2025
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Reading Lesson:
Parisians are voting on whether to turn 500 more streets into pedestrian-friendly areas with more trees and plants. The goal is to cut down on car traffic and improve air quality. Paris has already made similar changes, like banning e-scooters and increasing parking fees for large SUVs. The city has been working for 25 years to give more space to pedestrians and cyclists instead of cars.
Since Mayor Anne Hidalgo took office in 2014, Paris has seen big changes. Car traffic has dropped by more than half, and bike lanes have expanded. Between 2020 and 2023, bike use went up by 71%. Residents will help decide which streets should become green spaces.
Even with these efforts, Paris still has less green space than many other European capitals. While the average European capital has 41% of its area covered in green spaces, Paris has only 26%. Critics say these changes make life harder for the 10 million people living in the suburbs, where public transportation isn’t as good. Many suburban workers and shoppers rely on cars to get into the city.
Right now, only one in three Parisian households owns a car, but in the suburbs, two out of three do. If the vote passes, nearly 700 streets will have been turned into green areas, making up a little over one-tenth of all Parisian streets. Some see this as a way to make Paris cleaner and healthier, while others worry it will make going to and from work more difficult.
Comprehension Quiz:
Speaking and Writing Activities:
– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.
– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.
1. If you could change one thing about your city to make it greener, what would it be and why?
2. Do you prefer walking, biking, or driving in a city? What are the pros and cons of each?
3. How would life be different if cars were banned from all major cities? Would this be a good idea?
More Reading Practice:
What are the greenest cities in Europe?
Some of the greenest cities in Europe are known for their parks, clean air, and efforts to protect the environment. These cities make sure there is a balance between nature and urban life. Here are a few examples:
Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhagen is famous for its many bike paths, clean energy, and large parks. The city plans to be carbon-neutral by 2025, which means they aim to reduce pollution and protect the environment as much as possible.
Stockholm, Sweden – Stockholm is known for its green spaces and efforts to reduce waste. The city also uses a lot of renewable energy, like solar and wind power, to help protect the planet.
Oslo, Norway – Oslo has many green areas and is working to reduce its carbon footprint. The city promotes using electric cars and encourages people to use public transport to reduce pollution.
Vienna, Austria – Vienna is famous for its beautiful parks and clean streets. The city has many green spaces where people can relax, and it is committed to reducing its environmental impact.
Zurich, Switzerland – Zurich is a city with a focus on sustainability. It has many green areas and is known for its clean air and efforts to protect nature. The city also uses renewable energy to reduce pollution.
Anne Hidalgo
Anne Hidalgo is the mayor of Paris, the capital city of France. She was born in Spain and moved to France when she was a child. She became the mayor in 2014, and she is the first woman to hold this position in Paris. As mayor, she works to improve the city, making it cleaner, safer, and more environmentally friendly. She supports public transportation and has worked on making the city more accessible for people who walk or ride bicycles. Mayor Hidalgo is also known for her work on fighting climate change and making Paris a more sustainable city.