Madrid is set to ban cars from most of its city centre as part of a radical anti-car initiative. Drivers entering the core area could face fines of €90 under the plan, which aims to pedestrianise 80% of the central streets. The car-free zone is already partially in place and is due to expand in 2015.
The initiative includes aspirations to fully pedestrianise more streets and increase bus lanes, building on the city's existing commitment to sustainable transport, such as its new electric bike share system. The move follows similar steps by other European cities, including Helsinki, raising the question of whether more cities will follow suit.
Elsewhere, Brussels has decided to demolish the Reyers overpass, part of its congested road network, to improve liveability. The site will be transformed into an urban boulevard with space for cyclists and pedestrians. Meanwhile, Athens plans to create the world's largest urban park on the deserted Hellinikon Airport site, covering 2 million square metres.
On the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, Masdar City, planned as a carbon-neutral, zero-waste city, remains largely vacant despite some businesses and students moving in. The city is described as eerily empty, in a perpetual state of 'opening soon'.
