There are around 1,700 construction sites in Paris this summer. Locals and visitors are already annoyed.
All of Paris is a construction site, or almost. Preparations for the Olympic Games in less than a year are in full swing.
So is the city’s transformation into a climate-friendly global metropolis. Around 1,700 construction sites costing around 180 million euros are looming this summer because it is supposedly less disruptive in July and August. Not so, locals and visitors are already annoyed.
Taxi driver Boualem Akilal, for example. “They started a lot of construction work at the same time, everywhere, in every arrondissement, which means the traffic situation is very complicated. “
“Right now it takes 20 minutes for two kilometres”
Handyman Jonathan is stuck in traffic with his truck and looks at the speedometer for us. “To calculate it in kilometres: Right now it takes 20 minutes for two kilometres. And I think it’s going to get worse!”
The summer rush to renovate and refurbish doesn’t stop at famous Parisian landmarks. Much is shrouded and wrapped. But not an art project like Christo’s back in the day.
“It’s disappointing that everything is covered with advertising and you don’t have the full view,” complains Kristen Farley from Australia. “After all, people come from all over the world to visit.”
Kimberley Rogers from Canada is more forgiving. “I think they’re doing what you can to show us more of Paris. “
Paris accélère ses chantiers de voirie avec 1,700 chantiers et de bâtiments publics pendant l’été https://t.co/TCLJBXWGq6
– Association Grand Paris (@grandparis__) June 14, 2023
une image vaut mieux que de longs discours : l’image vient en direct de la ville de Paris je cite: “chantiers perturbants la circulation” Trafic et fermetures – Ville de Paris saccageparis pic. twitter.com/sjiJQezLnS
– joe elencantador (@parisienencoler) July 4, 2023
Building sites for Olympics and ambitious climate plan
Paris has ambitious climate targets to reduce the energy consumption of its 3600 public buildings by 30% by 2030 and to become CO2 neutral by 2050. Hence the many construction sites, from the creation of new cycle paths to the greening of schoolyards and the insulation of public buildings.
Not everything will be ready by the start of the Summer Games in a year’s time. The schedule is tight, the city has announced that all road and network works will be frozen between 15 June and 15 September 2024 because of the Olympics.