See, we got a thing or two to learn here in the US. We're over here asking nicely for them to at least make a plan to stop killing us and destroying our cities pretty please; meanwhile in Amsterdam it was 3 straight weeks of riots and teargas until they got concessions.
...The "Nieuwmarktrellen" were against City plans to build a new Metro line with a freeway on top by demolishing large parts of the historic city centre. A LOT did get built!...
...The riots were also about city planning and preservation, a housing shortage, squatters ("Krakers" in Dutch) and anti-car sentiment. It was the ultimate manifestation of the dialogue between a City and its citizens...
The riots and clouds of teargas rumbled on for 3 weeks. 50 Amsterdammers were hospitalised, and hundreds arrested.
The planned highway was curtailed, plans for more Metro lines cancelled, and the Dutch approach to streets (and cars!) changed forever...
Both great examples of cities either overestimating support (Amsterdam) or underestimating support (Paris), and the engagement process being central to change in both.
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The planned highway was curtailed, plans for more Metro lines cancelled, and the Dutch approach to streets (and cars!) changed forever...
It's really easy. The world needs to take note.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezPzocuqKPc