Over the past decade, Paris has undergone one of the most ambitious urban transformations of any major global city. Through vision, policy, program and design, Paris has leveraged its public realm as a central strategy for improving quality of life and the city’s resilience in the face of climate challenges.

Our Civic Commons Learning Journey: Paris, co-created with Better Block Foundation, gathered a diverse group of cross-sector leaders, funders and practitioners to learn from the city’s on-the-ground efforts and from one another. Through site visits and dynamic conversations, we witnessed how the city streets once dominated by cars have been reimagined as spaces for people. The Seine riverbanks have been reclaimed for walking and gathering. Hundreds of school streets have been redesigned to prioritize children and families.

While the city has achieved impressive goals for Parisians, its enduring legacy may be its inspirational impact, showing why it pays off to dare to dream big.

View the agenda
Read “Making Space for Birdsong and Bicycles in Paris”
View more images of the Learning Journey

Image credit: Sonia Yassa, Ville de Paris