Pauline Véron
19 Mar 2019, 4:30 p.m. Room CC9, Level -1 (Conference Centre)
Every year since 2014, the city of Paris has put aside 5% of its investment fund — amounting to 100 million Euros — for projects chosen by its own inhabitants. If you live in the city, you get a vote, with no restrictions on age or nationality.
Citizens are certainly engaged: over 2,000 ideas are submitted annually, and the participatory budgeting initiative has resulted in the delivery of scores of projects to enhance the city and improve conditions for the public good. Massive art installations, cycle paths and packages for the homeless are just a few of the ideas which have been submitted, voted on and approved.
But the decision-making is arguably the simple part. Once the citizens have spoken, it’s down to the city council to make those choices into a reality. Pauline describes what it takes in terms of an internal culture and logistics; and explains how the public are kept informed on the progress on the implementation of their decisions.