1853 – 1873

HAUSSMANN’S PARIS

What was Haussmannization?

• Haussmann's renovation of Paris was a vast public works program which started Napoleon III in the period from 1853 – 1870 in Paris.

• Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann, chosen by Napoleon III to lead the project.

• The Haussmanization demolished the chaotic, ugly, and unsanitary medieval neighborhoods of Paris and replaced them with the beautiful cream colored buildings, parks and squares that represent today.

• The entire city was rebuilt in a matter of two decades.

• To accompany the new streets and provide visual unity to the entire city.

• Napoleon had a greater interest in the techniques and new materials like glass and iron.

• Haussman unquestionably left his mark on Paris.

• His design principles increased the function, but destroyed numerous traditions and evicted the poor from the city in the process.

Haussmannian architecture on avenue Opéra, Paris

Charles Marville, photo of “old Paris” 1850s

Baron Georges Haussmann:The architect of Paris’ modernization

Georges-Eugène Haussmann• Lived 27 March 1809 – 11 January 1891.

• Studied Law and then rapidly advanced in the civil service.

• Became the prefect of Seine in 1853

• Worked in close collaboration with Napoleon III on the Renovation

of Paris

• Haussmann, who was responsible for creating a new space in Paris

• Not an architect or urban planner

• Never officially a Baron

The planHaussmann embarked on on a radical project of urban design to rebuild Paris as a modern city. The project included...

• Sewer system• Wide Boulevards• Gas lighting• Public Building regulations• Monuments• Updated Facade• A reorganized symmetrical road system• Parks• Division of Paris into Districts and its expansion

Avenue de L'opera

Before

After

Reasons for Modernization• From 1800 to 1850 the population doubled to over one

million

• In 1850 the majority of Paris was still the medieval style

of unplanned narrow winding streets.

• The open gutters used for carrying sewage was a

breeding ground for disease.

• Narrow streets easy to barricade

• Napoleon III was inspired by trip to London to

modernize the city.

Did Haussmannization modernize Paris?

• Because of Haussmannization the new roads

started to be built, a sewage system and water

supply were constructed.

• Improved circulation in the city.

• Linking monumental sites.

• More green space.

Roads• Haussmann brought symmetry to the city

• Haussmann wanted all main roads to pass

major buildings and monuments

• The new streets were laid out in a grid

running east to west north to south with

diagonal connections radiating out

• Perhaps most importantly the wide

avenues would be hard to barricade and

allow fast access for troops.

• The construction and widening of streets

required the expropriation and

demolition of many buildings

Sewers

• Pre-Haussmann: Bruneseau's underground system intermixed

sanitary and unsanitary water

• Haussmann engineered a new

underground sewer system:

separation of drinking water and waste

• Iron piping and digging

techniques from Industrial Revolution

• Became a tourist attraction post sanitation 1859 below the Rue Royale

• In 1878, the system expanded to 360 miles long

Facade of buildings

• The city was rebuilt with a neoclassical facade

• The widening of the streets allowed for extra height to be added to

the buildings increasing

living space

• Typically five stories

• Elaborate balcony on

second floor

• Shops on bottom level

Gustave Caillebotte - Paris Street;Rainy Day1877

What was its social impact?

• Dislocation of communities as working classes pushed out to outer to suburbs

• Haussmann was unwilling to compromise his ideas. His plans evicted poor citizens from the city when he destroyed their neighborhoods.

• 350,000 individuals displaced their homes.

• Propertied class wanted more comfortable space in central areas.

Conclusion• Haussmann was able to modernize Paris, improve the cleanliness, and reveal

its beauty.

• He used sleek lines and organized the layout by working from the heart of

the city to the outside.

• Haussmann made Paris better regarded as a city, although he was often

called an “artist of destruction.”

• Overall the streets were more effective and prettier since the sewer system

was moved underground.

• This led to a city with cleaner drinking water and less disease outbreaks.

• His proto-modern style utilizing geometric designs was visually pleasing and

eventually increased the functionality of Paris.

Thank You !