The City of Love is planning some major changes including a revamp of the iconic Champs-Élysées.
The Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées are going to be refurbished. Image: ©PCA-STREAM
A group of locals formed the Comité Champs-Élysées with the intention of breathing new life into the busy Parisian avenue. Mayor Anne Hidalgo has given the stamp of approval for their campaign, which was first launched in 2018, saying it will turn Paris into ‘an extraordinary garden.’
The revamp will be overseen by architect Philippe Chiambaretta. Plans include cutting the number of traffic lanes, creating space for cycle paths, electric busses and a tram. Pavements will be expanded to allow space for trees to be planted, essentially making the area greener.
‘The future prospects of the avenue are not only relevant to Parisians as they aim to remedy falling out of love with it, but also to the future of our urban condition. With the support of a team of researchers and creatives, PCA-STREAM presents a scientific and cross-disciplinary approach, both sensory and analytical, to address this urban phenomenon in all its systemic complexity,’ said PCA.
‘The Champs-Élysées is becoming a collective space to experiment with the development of a sustainable, desirable and inclusive city by 2030 through focusing on four main strategic priorities: reducing the impact of urban mobilities, rethinking nature as an ecosystem, seeking new uses, and the use of data for measurement and regulation,’ the firm continued.
The Arc de Triomphe may also receive some exciting amenities too.
Place de l’Étoile, where the Arc de Triomphe stands, may be converted into an urban beach in summer and an ice-rink in winter.
Plans are afoot to build a cultural centre at Place de l’Étoile along with exhibition halls and inner-city gardens.
Picture: PCA-STREAM
