The strange city that bans all high heels

Every walk in Carmel City is lined with large, shady trees. Because they love them so much, people can't bear to cut the roots that grow above ground.

Carmel-by-the-Sea or Carmel on the Monterey Peninsula, California has been on the list of top 10 destinations in the US for 8 consecutive years according to travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler.

It has inspired many artists and art lovers thanks to its cobblestone streets, beautiful natural landscapes and rich artistic traditions.

To avoid urbanization, Carmel has set out quite a few rules. Streetlights cannot be too bright, nor are there allowed to be too many bulbs. Signs cannot be ostentatious or flashy. Houses cannot be built too high, nor are they allowed to have house numbers.

The city even issued an official regulation for tourists wearing high heels in public places since 1964. It is illegal for tourists to walk on the sidewalk wearing shoes with a heel height of more than 5 cm and a heel area of ​​less than 6.4 cm ² without a permit from the city hall.

Many tourists ask for permits as souvenirs.

The reason for the rule is to avoid unnecessary litigation. Carmel officials explained that Monterey cypress and pine trees grow abundantly in California. As the trees grow, their roots push up the pavement, making the pavement uneven and making pedestrians susceptible to tripping.

To avoid being sued if an accident occurs, the city attorney has proposed a type of permit that would provide immunity from liability. In other words, residents or visitors who want to wear high heels on public sidewalks would have to get a permit in advance and be responsible for any falls, meaning they could not sue the authorities.

The permit is issued free of charge, bearing the applicant’s name and signed by a local government official. Some tourists also request a permit as a souvenir, even though they do not wear high heels in the city.

TB (summary)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/thanh-pho-ky-la-cam-moi-doi-giay-cao-got-412106.html