What statements are made in architecture and urban design to promote the image of Paris as a world c
What statements are made in architecture and urban design to promote the image of Paris as a world c
In 1915 an innovative scholar of city and regional planning, Patrick Geddes, used the term 'world cities' to describe "the great cities in which a disproportionate part of the worlds most important business is conducted" (Hall, 1984, p1). With the French economy now amongst the top few economies in the world, the nationally dominant Ile-de-France region, of which Paris is the heart, has recently gained international significance. Consequently, Paris is undoubtedly a world city.
But how has this position been reflected in the architecture of the city? And what urban designs have been utilised to promote this prestigious image further?
ARCHITECTURE
Architecturally, Paris is a feast for the eyes. The preservation of a host of magnificient historic buildings such as the Louvre, the Palais Royal, the Palais de Justice etc is a testimony of Paris' will to become the cultural capital of Europe as much as its luck at escaping the ravages of war, fire and flood. However, whilst it would have been easy for the governors of the city to rest on these historic laurels, this has not happened, quite the reverse.
Over the last fifteen years a massive £12 million has been invested in a series of Grands Projets that has added contemporary and futuristic architectural styles to an already eclectic mix. Whilst unquestionably being "grandiose presidential gestures" (Rogers and Fisher, 1992, p53) from politicians intent on leaving their personalised stamp on the city, these projects also collectively symbolise the Gaullic notion of "la gloire de la France" and thus are standard-bearers of French national pride. Additionally, the political decision to open the design of Grands Projets to international competition cleverly helped focus worldwide attention on Paris (which aided its claim to be the cultural capital of Europe) and, at least in terms of its cosmopolitain architecture, meant it could literally be deemed a 'world' city. Furthermore, though the architectural magnificence of some of these projects is most striking, it should not be forgotton that it was extraordinary French engineering feats that realised the designs. Thus the Grands Projets not only represent the emergence of the nation and cement its cultural capital claim, but they also act as publicity and marketing tools, that have a global and lasting reach, for French expertise in prestigious scientific spheres.
