A Study for the Transition of Urban Space Strategy in Paris

Abstract

Paris owes its charm as a city consisting of streets and blocks not only to natural development but also to that fact that it has been developed on the basis of specific studies regarding urban space, discussions to review the city structure in successive periods, and urban space strategies to make optimum use of the city's structure.

In Paris, urban space strategies have always served two contradictory functions: the preservation of a historic city and the transformation into a modern city. Strategists have been wavering between opposite concepts, such as ”streets” or ”Haussmannism” and ”blocks” or ”Tissu Urbain.”

In this paper, based on the review of the historic background of Paris, it is indicated that the following specific investigations and discussions on urban space and strategy are effective in developing an attractive city.

1) Initial period: This refers to the beginning of Haussmann's renovation of Paris with regard to streets as well as hygiene related issues.

2) Transition period: This refers to the transition from the period when only the historical city center was recognized as the core of Paris to a point when the city periphery was brought into discussion for the first time in history, not only as a result of intensification of urban problems but also as a possible redevelopment area for urban sprawl.

3) Diversification period: Area characters that had been discovered by the shapes of blocks and lots were also applied to the periphery of the city.