Anne Hidalgo Concludes Her Tenure as Paris Mayor After Over a Decade
On a bright spring day, the banks of the Seine in Paris are bustling with activity—joggers, cyclists, families, and picnickers fill the space where cars once dominated. This transformation is a hallmark of Anne Hidalgo's 12-year leadership as mayor, as she prepares to step down from her role at the Hôtel de Ville. In an interview, Hidalgo expressed pride in her work, stating, "I feel I have done my job," while reflecting on the complexities of urban change and the personal challenges she faced.
A Legacy of Green Initiatives and Urban Renewal
Hidalgo's tenure has been defined by bold environmental policies aimed at making Paris greener and more livable. One of her most significant achievements was the pedestrianization of the Voie Georges-Pompidou, a former expressway that saw up to 2,700 vehicles per hour at peak times. Despite initial controversy, including petitions and lawsuits, the area now hosts events like the annual Paris Plages, providing recreational space for residents, especially those unable to afford vacations. "It was a tough battle," Hidalgo admitted, "but I strongly believed the roads had to be pedestrianised so that people could enjoy the riverbanks."
Under her administration, Paris has seen a dramatic shift away from car dependency. Parking costs were increased to encourage public transport use, cars were banned from areas around schools, and a network of 1,500 kilometers of cycle lanes was established, leading to bikes surpassing cars in popularity. These measures have halved air pollution levels, earning Hidalgo recognition from Time and Forbes as a key figure in the global fight against the climate crisis. She also received awards from the Urban Land Institute and the UN for making Paris "a healthier, more inclusive and more livable city."
Challenges and Controversies Along the Way
Despite her successes, Hidalgo's policies have polarized Parisians. Critics accuse her of overseeing a city that has become dirtier and more debt-ridden, with municipal debt rising from €4.18 billion in 2014 to a projected €9.7 billion by the end of this year. Motorists, in particular, have expressed frustration with her car-restriction measures. Hidalgo acknowledged the difficulty of change, noting, "Changing a city is complicated, because even the most progressive people don’t want to alter their habits. To succeed, you have to have a strategy, be determined and, yes, accept being unpopular."
Hidalgo also faced personal challenges, including what she describes as "French misogyny and machismo" during her 25 years in politics. She recounted instances of harassment and unfair criticism, such as backlash over using her official allowance for haute couture dresses from Christian Dior for Olympic ceremonies. "Would a man face the same criticism? I think not," she asserted, highlighting the gender biases she encountered. However, she remained resilient, driven by a desire to pave the way for future women in politics.
Addressing Broader Urban Issues and Future Outlook
Beyond environmental efforts, Hidalgo's administration tackled other critical issues. She guided Paris through the aftermath of terror attacks that killed 161 people, describing the experience as deeply transformative. "The attacks changed me deeply and changed the city," she said, emphasizing a strengthened resolve to defend freedom. The campaign to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games served as a healing process, accelerating projects like making the Seine swimmable—a feat once deemed unimaginable.
Additional achievements include planting 155,000 trees, creating nearly 63,000 hectares of new green spaces, and increasing affordable social housing from 13% to 25% to retain young families. Yet, challenges persist, such as littering, graffiti, and homelessness, which Hidalgo attributes to "undisciplined" locals and tourists. As she passes the torch to her successor, Emmanuel Grégoire, Hidalgo hopes he will be spared the gender-based scrutiny she faced. Her legacy, she believes, is a more peaceful, pedestrian-friendly Paris where residents can "see, live and breathe" improvements in their daily lives.
