Paris

Paris – The French Revolution of the present day –  In recent years, Paris has increasingly developed into a sustainable metropolis with an ambitious program. Under Mayor Anne Hidalgo, numerous measures have been introduced to promote the environment, climate protection and quality of life. A central aspect of this transformation is driving forward the transport revolution: The city has created an extensive network of cycle paths, significantly increasing cycling’s share of the modal split. At the same time, the reduction of car traffic in the city center has been driven forward and the expansion of pedestrian zones and the creation of “green lungs” in urban areas has been promoted.

Paris is also focusing on the expansion of green districts and sustainable construction projects. New eco-districts such as “Clichy-Batignolles” are integrating environmentally friendly architecture, energy efficiency and greenery into their plans. These developments not only help to reduce emissions but also improve the urban climate and create livable spaces for residents. Overall, Paris is pursuing the goal of becoming a climate-neutral and green metropolis by 2030.

Study tour to Paris with a group from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

In summer 2025, the Innovation Academy organized for the first time a study visit to Paris for our group from UNC Chapel Hill led by Prof. Greg Gangi and Prof. Adam Lovelady. Our French colleague Agnes accompanied the group on site and ensured that everything ran smoothly. In addition to tourist highlights and a look at the historical development of the city, the focus was on the city’s recent transformation into a sustainable metropolis with new bike infrastructure, urban greening, sustainable districts, and the approach of Paris towards a 15-minutes city. Check out some highlights with the image slider on the right.

Discover the sustainable side of the French capital with us. We look forward to hearing from you: info@innovation-academy.de