Should city centers become car-free zones?

Poll results

Should city centers become car-free zones?
Support
Reject
Don't know
45%
51%
5%
PolitPro Community – 3263 respondents – 21.08.2023-28.08.2023

Poll information

Should city centers become car-free zones? 45% of respondents are in favor of inner cities becoming car-free zones, while 51% are against.

5% chose the answer "Don't know". The survey was conducted among 3263 users of the PolitPro app during 21.08.2023-28.08.2023. The results are not representative, but may give a rough idea of the political mood around the issue.

Pros - What's in favor?

  1. Sustainability and environmental protection: Establishing car-free zones in city centers reduces individual traffic and thus CO2 emissions. This helps to combat climate change and improve air quality. It also makes room for alternative modes of transport such as bicycles, e-scooters and public transport, which are more environmentally friendly.
  2. Encourage pedestrian traffic: car-free downtowns create a more pleasant and safer environment for pedestrians. People can explore downtowns on foot, resulting in increased pedestrian friendliness and an improved experience when shopping and strolling. This also strengthens local businesses and restaurants.
  3. Improving quality of life: traffic noise and air pollution from cars are dramatically reduced in car-free zones. This contributes to a quieter and healthier environment in which downtown residents and visitors can feel more comfortable. In addition, public squares and green spaces are created that invite people to linger and meet.

Cons - What's against it?

  1. Restricting mobility: some argue that a car-free downtown could affect the mobility of people with limited mobility or the elderly. Access to certain places and services could become more difficult for these groups. Ensure that alternative transportation and accessible solutions are in place to ensure mobility for all.
  2. Economic Impact: For stores and businesses that rely on customers driving, a car-free downtown could have negative impacts. Fewer parking spaces and more difficult access could lead to decreased sales. It is important to develop alternative transportation concepts and improve public transit access to mitigate the economic impact.
  3. Logistics and deliveries: Downtowns often serve as important hubs for delivering goods to stores and businesses. Going completely car-free could make logistics more difficult and lead to longer delivery times. It is important to find appropriate solutions to make the transport of goods efficient and smooth, for example by providing loading zones outside the car-free zone.