'Grand Paris' proposals unveiled

[Darsh]

The luminaries of the architecture world, including Jean Nouvel and Christian de Portzamparc, as well as city planners from all over the world, have devoted their energy for nearly nine months to designing the new Paris and the new greater Paris area. The scope of their work gives a hint of what the “Grand Paris” project will become over the next few decades.

After unveiling the fruits of their labour to the Economic and Social Council on Thursday , the ten architectural firms – six in France and four from other nations – are to present their plans to French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday. The head of state began overseeing the project on June 4, 2008, hoping to quickly implement a “strong, original, and realistic” project to develop Paris.

Sustainable development, transportation, and facilitating transport between Paris and its suburbs are the three themes tying all projects together – whether they be poetic, utopic, or ecological.

To solicit public input, a public debate is planned for March 17 at the Chaillot theatre, and an exhibit of scale models will be shown to the public at the Cité de l’architecture from April 29 to November 22.

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http://www.france24.com/en/20090313-...urban-planning

[Orko]

nice! if this happens i'll might move to Paris.

[Centurion-Lucius-Vorenus]

Haussman not good enough for you ?

[JNS]

Hopefully this happens,although hopefully the historical center will be kept s is, and they only develop the more outer areas. Also the sydney opera house in paris.....no just no.

Although most of these plans actually never happen or only go through partially. There have been tons of plans to reurbanize paris since the early 1900's, although the only one i can recall from my head right now is Le Corbusiers "Garden City" proposal.

[Carach]

whats with stealing the sydney opera house?

other than that, id support this rennovation of sorts - Paris is largely a dump.

Hopefully this happens,although hopefully the historical center will be kept s is, and they only develop the more outer areas. Also the sydney opera house in paris.....no just no.

the quote says its just greater paris(?) so i presume the centre (the only nice part tbh) will remain largely the same

[Centurion-Lucius-Vorenus]

whats with stealing the sydney opera house?

other than that, id support this rennovation of sorts - Paris is largely a dump.

Ironic that it is the choice tourist destination for the whole globe.

[Carach]

Ironic that it is the choice tourist destination for the whole globe.

woohoo. that was fast mr centurion (more french than the french still?!?). take the comment as u will, im just basing my opinion off several trips into and through the city - much like many other cities in the world, its pretty looking outside of the main tourist zones.

[Centurion-Lucius-Vorenus]

woohoo. that was fast mr centurion (more french than the french still?!?). take the comment as u will, im just basing my opinion off several trips into and through the city - much like many other cities, its pretty looking outside of the main tourist zones.

So Have I. There is nothing in Paris dirtier then anywhere else.

[Carach]

So Have I. There is nothing in Paris dirtier then anywhere else.

+ the horrendous amounts of graffitti that is all over the place. (more so than in any other city ive been to.. and thats..sydney, NY, washington, most cities in france, most in england, Rome, Turin, Berlin (berlin was pretty bad) - oh.. athens was pretty bad too, but then they had just had like, anarchists revolting on their streets just prior to my arrival so who can criticise for that)

but hey.. u take it as an insult towards the beloved french (because i have nothing better to do obviously? ).. i would say these guys agree with me seeing as theyre wanting to spend billions rennovating.

[Erik]

So Have I. There is nothing in Paris dirtier then anywhere else.

What about those streams of water (sewage?) along the sides of the major roads?
I haven't seen anything like that in other cities, and it's really disgusting.

[Mithie]

Step 1: Get rid of the Eiffel tower.

[Andrew87]

The luminaries of the architecture world, including Jean Nouvel and Christian de Portzamparc, as well as city planners from all over the world, have devoted their energy for nearly nine months to designing the new Paris and the new greater Paris area.

Nine months and this is what they come up with? The Sydney Opera House and Maglevs?

Dear God...

[Justinian]

It looks... strange.

I'd like to hear a price tag affixed to the idea of rebuilding an entire ing city...

[Martin N]

Yeh like they have the money right now to build an entire capitol city again.

Reminds me of my dad back in cali, which incidently has the worst economy in america, he chooses to renovate the whole house last month, i mean not only are house prices falling rapidly, but spending power of the $ is too, people who think like this is insane.

[Andrew87]

Yeh like they have the money right now to build an entire capitol city again.

The scope of their work gives a hint of what the “Grand Paris” project will become over the next few decades.

[Ishoss]

Yeh like they have the money right now to build an entire capitol city again.

Reminds me of my dad back in cali, which incidently has the worst economy in america, he chooses to renovate the whole house last month, i mean not only are house prices falling rapidly, but spending power of the $ is too, people who think like this is insane.

Uh, this is just the right time for a state to start spending. Prices are cheaper than usual, so it's good for the state. It also creates jobs which in turn create more money for the consumers and you get a nice lil' domino effect.

[Turkeys!]

I like the third and sixth one, they look nice, clean, and have that futuristic feel.

[BoJaN]

Do we need more of this?

[Markas]

Never been. I have two friends who uped sticks to live in France and they say they love it except for Paris and Parisians. Oddly, their new Gallic nieghbours have the same attitude.

Sorry I'm not up to speed on Architecture or anyone but what's happening in picture 5?

[Andrew87]

Never been. I have two friends who uped sticks to live in France and they say they love it except for Paris and Parisians. Oddly, their new Gallic nieghbours have the same attitude.

Sorry I'm not up to speed on Architecture or anyone but what's happening in picture 5?

It's called sustainable architecture. It's a new concept of designing energy efficient or "green" buildings.

I'm not sure, but the buildings in pic 5 look like high rise farms.
http://ecoworld.com/blog/2007/11/14/skyscraper-farms/

Apparently in the near future people will want to grow food on their own balcony...