In Paris, Grégoire unveils his measures for public space and the "right to beauty"

"I know the dissatisfaction of many Parisians regarding the quality of public space," explains Anne Hidalgo's successor and former first deputy in an interview with Le Figaro, who wishes to "continue the transformations undertaken" by the former mayor but by "improving the general living environment."

All this while "considerably strengthening the role of borough mayors in local planning policies," explains Emmanuel Grégoire, who promised to be a "hyper-local" mayor.

Asserting a "demand for cleanliness and comfort", the socialist mayor pledges to pay "increased attention to sidewalks, construction sites, terraces and everyday incivilities".

At his first ordinary Paris Council meeting next week, he will present an "action plan on 1.000 black spots" where public space is deteriorating: train station areas, places of "ultra-high tourist traffic" such as the Champ-de-Mars, or the Château-Rouge and Barbès districts.

The mayor, who wants to "protect Paris's heritage," also announced a "plan for a 'right to beauty' in all neighborhoods." This includes "increased attention to facades, paving, historical furniture, bridges, particularly the Pont des Arts," but also to the "everyday heritage" that constitutes "Paris's identity."

A "general delegate for design and aesthetics" will be tasked with implementing this plan. Emmanuel Grégoire also considers the controversy surrounding the absence of a heritage deputy in his executive (36 deputy mayors) to be "unworthy," emphasizing that he has appointed a "heritage delegate councillor," Dominique Kielemoës, reporting to the urban planning deputy, François Vauglin.

"Heritage is so important that I intend to take it over myself," the mayor argues.

He also pledged to create 80 "pedestrian zones" in Paris and to guarantee "wherever possible, at least one shaded sidewalk on every street." The pedestrianization of the Seine riverbanks will be "accelerated to create a continuous 25-km promenade."

Asserting that his "mantra is not to be against the car", he wants to increase "specialized" parking spaces "for all those for whom the car is a work tool and who need it on a daily basis".

In addition to the deployment of 15 express bus lines, he announces "recreating a safe bus lane" on rue de Rivoli.

On the extracurricular front, an "absolute priority" at the start of his term, the mayor is expected this Monday at the Saint-Dominique school (7th arrondissement), where revelations of sexual violence against minors have multiplied. "I'm coming first and foremost to listen to them," he says.