The transformation of Damascus continues apace...

That would be dreamy but like you said, would love to actually see it in practice!

I cnt seem to open that link?(this)?? in damascus,may be oom wesam can tell us??

It's an article in a new English language Syrian newspaper (Baladna) about plans by the Mayor of Damascus to totally ban all car traffic from the Old City from April. According to the paper, it's definitely going to happen, and only actual residents of the Old City will be exempt from the ban.

I'm a little bit sceptical that it will happen, or that if it does, it'll be implemented properly. Although, having said that, the recent anti-parking works to Straight Street seem to have been pretty successful.

Dubrovnik has a total car ban, which seems to work really well - though the walled part of Dubrovnik is probably only a quarter of the size of Old Damascus.

Have you heard anything about the ban, Marco?

Hi SPDL yes i have heard .As you say they may not be fully implemented or enforced.It is a step in the right direction.I started last year a petetion in Bab Touma about this subject (total ban on cars in the walled city) I found most locals are against and the tourist are wholy in favour.I sent copies of the petetion to the local authorities it looks like some time they do listen and take notice and act Alhamdullah.Im looking forward to one day a Total Ban on cars not just partial..
The Straight Street action solved a problem and created a new one.It is hardly easy for one person to walk along the narrow path way/road kerb For couple clutching arms they cant walk without hitting or knocking those lumby stone barrier many of which are being knocked to the ground by motorist.Or if you have another person coming from the opposite directin you have to sort of walk in a single file to be able to pass.
At hostel we have seen few casualties .Visitors to the old city had broken ankles/ feet or hurt badly walking and taking photographs around the Souqs.
Watch where you step. is a good word of advice
I see cars parked all along the Straight Street ignoring the new rules.The garden beds plants are dead and now winter they turned to murcky mud puddles.

The problem still will be simply where to put your car when the ban happens. They really need to build more parking facilities somewhere but again I beleive im dreaming :D Even in Hama in downtown area they are quickly removing next to all legal parking, which just means the cars go squish somewhere else, and you see a lot of double and triple parked cars these days making it really fun if your the first and unexpectedly get two or more cars blocking you in! I wish they could enact a law that like in the us if you build a building you should also be required to provide a certain number of parking spaces for that building. Maybe its time for a monorail! ;) Yes I know, dreaming.........

Aisha in Hama

HI oomwesam in Jordan also fifteen years ago they applied these conditions.You must provide a one carparking for every apartment you build before it can be aproved.
In damascus it dsnt exist up till now they are rushing building thousands of new apartment blocks many without any allowance for a car parking.It is very sad to see that.
On the subject of double and triple parking.I have first hand account when i had to drive to the city centre in the past i got caught stuck for hours waiting to be freed.This is a terrible habit with the local motorists.Apparently this is normal never seen an outraged motorist as i did in the west it can boil over into a fight or a shoot out.

Yesterday I got blocked in here in Hama, I was able through fifteen minutes of back and forth to wriggle free--sad thing was the guy blocking me was sitting in his car refusing to move because then he would lose his spot in the taxi line up! I myself was ready to hit him, or at give him a large bumper kiss! I had another time were a bunch of guys had to move the Rickshaw blocking me to the other side of the street, now that was fun to watch! ;) And thats here in Hama, so how is in Sham???