If New York can do it, everyone can. As recently reported by UCityGuides, New York is banning cars from its two most visited squares and now so is Florence. The city’s mayor has given the central piazza where the landmark Duomo stands to pedestrians only, and starting on the 25th of this month you won’t find any cars or public transport blocking your way there. To celebrate this more pedestrian-friendly environment, the city will host an open-sir concert on that day.
Another benefit of a car-free zone is that the Duomo’s marble will be cleaner for longer periods of time, without the grime caused by the constant traffic. The mayor also points out that this will improve the local quality of life and recalls the Greek concept of agora, a public square that is the center of a city’s civic life.
When riding the trains through Italy we often hear that a “treno pulito è più bello” (“a clean train is more beautiful”), so allows us to suggest a slogan to inspire other Italin cities to follow in Florence’s footsteps: “una piazza pulita è più bella.”
UCityGuides is a strong supporter of pedestrian-friendly cities or city centers, having nominated Copenhagen’s Strøget for one of the 7 Urban Wonders of the World, and look forward to hearing about other cities freeing up some space for people and cleaner, more pleasant environments.

-See the complete Florence city guide.
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