Bicycles, motor scooters, taxis & buses way outnumber private cars in the center of the city; only residents may use a car without special permission. The restrictions began about 20 years ago as the number of cars became overwhelming. Some underground garages were built a little earlier & more have gone 'up' recently at the fringes of the city.

There used to be many more small shops with a neighborhood clientele, whereas today you go by car or bus to the supermarket. The city regulates the use of buildings to maintain a mix of living and working spaces, so it is very hard to change a home into a shop or vice versa. But since a leather business will make more than a neighborhood food store, the nature of shops is changing.