International local government news 19.11.24

Here are the latest newsworthy and interesting stories from the local government sector that caught our attention. In this round-up of what’s happening right now in the world of local government, you’ll find best practices, inspiration, and more from across the sector.

USA: The golf course that now stores stormwater
An abandoned golf course in Houston has, over the past decade, been transformed into a nature area, collecting stormwater that would otherwise run off into homes and streets. Exploration Green offers six miles of pathways, ponds, wetlands and wildlife, having been bought by the local water authority a decade ago after residents voiced concerns over heavy rain and flooding. Now, the green has the ability to retain 500 million gallons of water, which is slowly released into the local bayou.
Climate Connections

USA: $9 congestion charge implemented in New York
New York’s Metropolitan Transport Authority has approved a revised congestion charge plan for Manhattan. In a bid to modernise a 100-year-old system, the MTA will implement a $9 toll, which is anticipated to raise $15 billion. The program will see E-ZPass motorists driving south of Manhattan’s 60th Street receive a $9 charge during peak hours, with trucks paying $14.40 and the without the pass paying more. The new plan will also see taxi passengers paying an effective $0.75 per trip, while ride-hailing service customers will pay $1.50. However, President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to pull the plug on the scheme within the first week of him taking office in January.
Bloomberg

FRANCE: Trees to replace parking spaces in Paris
The City of Paris has introduced a new climate plan, which will remove 60,000 parking spots by 2030, drop speed limits, repurpose traffic lanes, and create urban “oases” to help combat extreme heat. The 2024-2030 Climate Plan, released last week and soon to be voted on by the Council of Paris, promises to establish 300 hectares of new green space by the end of the decade, with 10% in place by 2026, with the removal of car parks expected to be a key driver of this aim. Oasis squares will be created in each of Paris’ 20 arrondissements. Other measures to tackle rising summer temperatures include neighbourhood cooling centres, a rethink on outside workers schedules, and a commitment to deliver 1,000 cool roofs on public buildings.
Bloomberg

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