June 7th: Haussmann's Plan of Paris

Paris is one of the most popular places in the world to travel to. It offers a wide-range of historical and modern attractions. Yet, the city did not always function as successfully as it does now. In fact, Paris was once an array of ancient and overcrowded districts. The city was poorly organized and lacked proper circulation, which led to the spread of disease and epidemic. Ultimately, Paris stood as a vestige of its middle ages’ past and suffered from its lack of modernization greatly.

 

            In 1852, Napoleon III became emperor and demanded change for the city. Napoleon was inspired by the Industrial Revolution and called for a modern city that reflected the new age. He partnered with Baron Georges Haussmann in order to accomplish his new plan of Paris. Haussmann molded the city into a geometric and axial grid. New streets and boulevards ran either east and west or alternatively north and south. This axial planning divided the city into organized sections. Haussmann then proceeded to modernize Paris by using these new organized sections to create urban districts. The original plan called for twelve districts. However, in 1860, Paris annexed additional surrounding communities and divided Paris into twenty districts. The districts started inward, on the banks of the Seine, and spiraled outwards.

Haussmann’s plan brought symmetry to the city, which it had lacked beforehand. Additionally, the widening of streets into boulevards was a technical strategy that was employed to rid Paris of disease and illness. The widened streets relieved the disorganized city and allowed for citizens to get around more easily. It also allowed for an increase in the height of the buildings, which provided more room for the citizens of Paris to live within as well.

                        

After making these imperative changes, Haussmann focused on building a new unified architectural language for the city. Additionally, Haussmann supported the construction of new public buildings, such as L’Opéra and many other neo-classical structures. Haussmann settled on a neo-classical façade to represent the city because it offered stability, cohesion, and refinement to Paris. To this day, the architecture of Paris helps to define the character of the city. Ultimately, the work of Napoleon III and Haussmann revolutionized Paris from a medieval city to a notable world capital.