In recent years, car-free city zones in densely populated areas around the world have been used as communal areas to showcase local culture and have become fashionable shopping destinations.

Here is a short list of some of these car-free city zones:

Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, Australia

Thanks to its city planners, Melbourne has become a pedestrian-friendly Australian city that has a thriving industry composed of local stores and restaurants. The Queen Street Mall in Brisbane and the Civic Square in Canberra are car-free city zones that are trendy shopping destinations as well.

Tokyo, Kyoto and Naha, Japan

Tokyo's famous Harajuku district is a famous shopping destination for locals and tourists alike. Although its car-free policy on Sundays ended in 1998, it still remains quite popular. Other areas that remain car-free city zones include Pontocho and Nishiki Market in Kyoto and Heiwa Dori in Naha.

New York, United States

New York has a rich and thriving local culture that is admired worldwide. Known as a melting pot for all sorts of individuals, New York has designated several car-free zones to be used by pedestrians. These include a downtown area in Cape May and Ithaca, the theater and retail district in Buffalo, most of Fire Island and Roosevelt Island and the whole area of Governors Island.

Barcelona, Spain

Barri Gòtic, Barcelona's medieval center, is composed of narrow and winding alleys that are conducive to wanderers and those with a sense of adventure. It features building with beautiful architecture hailing from as far back as the Roman occupation and the Middle Ages. The Santa Cruz district in Seville and the Casco Viejo in Bilbao are both likewise known for their lovely medieval quarters.

Fifty-four cities (most of which are located in Asia) have more than five million residents, according to an article entitled "The City Solution." Given the fact that urban populations have reached unprecedented levels and the world's inhabitants will soon reach seven billion, developing urban areas that are successful in fostering a sense of community has become even more important.

Japan Australia Retail New York