Although the banks of the Seine River in Paris are a UNESCO World Heritage site, the historical mark has not stopped the city from creatively adapting its embankments. In fact, the city has an on-going initiative called Les Berges to enable its residents to “reclaim” the river. Les Berges, which includes the pedestrianization of the roadways along the Seine, aims to respond to a great ambition—to allow residents of the metropolis and all those who love Paris to reclaim the Seine and the heart of the city. [translated from official signage in Paris] All of this is part of Mayor Bertrand Delanoë’s greater plan to reduce car traffic in Paris and increase “soft” methods of transportation. Transit options like the Velib bicycle share program and the Autolib electric car sharing form one pillar of the plan. Pedestrianization of the banks of the Seine and of Place de la République are another more urban design aspect. New… Read More