UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)13 hours ago • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIFrom Bogotá to Kigali, cities worldwide are proving one simple policy can cut emissions, boost health, and bring communities together.
More cities are discovering that regularly closing streets to cars - even for a few hours - can transform urban life.
Here’s what happens when we make space for people instead of traffic:
Cleaner air & lower emissions
Less NO₂, fewer particulates, and a break for the planet.
Healthier, safer streets
More walking, cycling, and jogging. Fewer traffic accidents. Less stress from noise.
Thriving local economies
Shoppers on foot and bike spend more locally. Public spaces turn into markets, performances, and community hubs.
Cooler, more liveable cities
Greener streets fight heatwaves. Flexible spaces help in emergencies and climate adaptation.
And the best part? It works.
Here are 6 cities making car-free streets work:
1. Bogotá, Colombia – Ciclovía
- Every Sunday & public holiday: 120 km of streets closed to cars.
- Impact: 1.5 million people participate each week: walking, running, and cycling. Promotes cleaner air and stronger social ties.
2. Paris, France – Journée Sans Voiture
- Annual citywide car-free day + ongoing district restrictions.
- Impact: 30–40% drop in NO₂; more long-term pedestrianization.
3. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Car Free Day Movement
- Monthly Sunday closures in key neighborhoods.
- Impact: Raised pollution awareness; boosted family outdoor activities.
4. Jakarta, Indonesia – Car Free Day
- Every Sunday: major roads closed 6–11 a.m.
- Impact: Drop in PM₂.₅; support for street vendors and events.
5. Milan, Italy – Strade Aperte & Limited Traffic Zones
- Expanded pedestrian/cycling areas + congestion charge zone.
- Impact: 30% less central traffic; CO₂ cut by 35%; more cycling infrastructure.
6. Kigali, Rwanda – Monthly Car Free Day
- Held twice a month with fitness activities and health checks.
- Impact: Encourages healthy lifestyles and climate awareness.
Sources:
- Montes, F., Sarmiento, O. L., Zarama, R., Pratt, M., Wang, G., Jacoby, E., Cavill, N. (2012), Do Health Benefits Outweigh the Costs of Mass Recreational Programs? An Economic Analysis of Four Ciclovía Programs
- UN-Habitat, World Cities Report 2024
- Airparif, Paris et Pantin sans voiture : pollution en baisse, (2022)
- UNEP (2020), Africa’s car-free movement grows as cities promote clean air.
- C40 Cities, Milan's Area C reduces traffic pollution and transforms the city center
- UN-Habitat, Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions through Urban Climate Action.
- Smithsonian Magazine, A Car-Free Day in Paris Cut Pollution by 40 Percent (2015)
- Lita Sari Barus, & Heidy Octaviani Rachman, Impact of Car-Free Day on Air Pollution and Its Multifarious Advantages in Sudirman–Thamrin Street, Jakarta, (2019)
- UNEP, In Africa, cities embrace clean air targets, (2022)
- African Media Agency, Car-free days are taking hold in African cities
Here’s what happens when we make space for people instead of traffic:
Cleaner air & lower emissions
Less NO₂, fewer particulates, and a break for the planet.
Healthier, safer streets
More walking, cycling, and jogging. Fewer traffic accidents. Less stress from noise.
Thriving local economies
Shoppers on foot and bike spend more locally. Public spaces turn into markets, performances, and community hubs.
Cooler, more liveable cities
Greener streets fight heatwaves. Flexible spaces help in emergencies and climate adaptation.
And the best part? It works.
Here are 6 cities making car-free streets work:
1. Bogotá, Colombia – Ciclovía
- Every Sunday & public holiday: 120 km of streets closed to cars.
- Impact: 1.5 million people participate each week: walking, running, and cycling. Promotes cleaner air and stronger social ties.
2. Paris, France – Journée Sans Voiture
- Annual citywide car-free day + ongoing district restrictions.
- Impact: 30–40% drop in NO₂; more long-term pedestrianization.
3. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Car Free Day Movement
- Monthly Sunday closures in key neighborhoods.
- Impact: Raised pollution awareness; boosted family outdoor activities.
4. Jakarta, Indonesia – Car Free Day
- Every Sunday: major roads closed 6–11 a.m.
- Impact: Drop in PM₂.₅; support for street vendors and events.
5. Milan, Italy – Strade Aperte & Limited Traffic Zones
- Expanded pedestrian/cycling areas + congestion charge zone.
- Impact: 30% less central traffic; CO₂ cut by 35%; more cycling infrastructure.
6. Kigali, Rwanda – Monthly Car Free Day
- Held twice a month with fitness activities and health checks.
- Impact: Encourages healthy lifestyles and climate awareness.
Sources:
- Montes, F., Sarmiento, O. L., Zarama, R., Pratt, M., Wang, G., Jacoby, E., Cavill, N. (2012), Do Health Benefits Outweigh the Costs of Mass Recreational Programs? An Economic Analysis of Four Ciclovía Programs
- UN-Habitat, World Cities Report 2024
- Airparif, Paris et Pantin sans voiture : pollution en baisse, (2022)
- UNEP (2020), Africa’s car-free movement grows as cities promote clean air.
- C40 Cities, Milan's Area C reduces traffic pollution and transforms the city center
- UN-Habitat, Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions through Urban Climate Action.
- Smithsonian Magazine, A Car-Free Day in Paris Cut Pollution by 40 Percent (2015)
- Lita Sari Barus, & Heidy Octaviani Rachman, Impact of Car-Free Day on Air Pollution and Its Multifarious Advantages in Sudirman–Thamrin Street, Jakarta, (2019)
- UNEP, In Africa, cities embrace clean air targets, (2022)
- African Media Agency, Car-free days are taking hold in African cities
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