Transportation

European Cities Get Funds to Transform Streets from Asphalt to Art

Traffic-calming street murals are coming to 19 cities across Europe in a bid to improve pedestrian safety.

An installation from the Asphalt Art Initiative spans a public square in Amsterdam in 2021.

Photographer: Patrick Post/Bloomberg Philanthropies

A group of European cities will soon have the chance to add a dose of artistic flair to their roadways.

The Asphalt Art Initiative, which aims to improve pedestrian safety by painting eye-grabbing murals on the pavement in crosswalks and along curbs, will dole out grants of $25,000 to 19 European cities. The project is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and was announced on Monday in Amsterdam at CityLab, a summit for urban leaders hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Aspen Institute.