For this book report, I was assigned to read the book titled “How Paris Became Paris, The Invention of the Modern City”. Published in 2014 by former professor and well-known writer Joan DeJean. DeJean has written eleven books in her life consisting of several different topics. She’s written about French literature, history, and culture from the eighteenth century. She is a dynamic writer and perhaps has written her most iconic and dynamic piece in her latest entry “How Paris Became Paris”. In her book, she goes in-depth and details regarding the rise of Paris’ built environment and its effect on the nation of France and the entire global community as a whole. In this book report, I will describe and highlight the tipping point on the evolution …show more content…
His next step after building the Place des Vosges was to start a silk industry. Henry IV simply did this in order to boost the economy of France. But his business decision had a major domino effect and led to success in unanticipated ways. First, he wanted to make the silk industry in “the place”, an area in the city where there was open space and unoccupied land. After bringing foreign workers to teach the people the art of silk weaving, the industry was at full go by the summer of 1605. As time went on, “the place” was still very bland besides the silk industry. Then over time, “the place” was renamed as Place Royale. This open space was going to be a part of the city that thrived in three areas: “to adorn Paris, to provide a setting for public ceremonies, and to give Parisians a recreational space” (DeJean 59). One of the goals that Henry IV took seriously was the idea of adorning Paris. He wanted to make Paris beautiful but not only that. He wanted to make nice structures that captivated citizens and visitors of Paris alongside it being beneficial for the Parisians. The king at the time decided to leave one side of the Place Royale as only commercial business based. Meaning, that side of the area will be dominated by businesses. Then, the masterplan was to use the rest of the sides as pavilions for other shops and commercial use. Above these pavilions would hold floors …show more content…
Buildings like the Pont Neuf and Place Royale were the stepping stones of Paris becoming the Paris it is today. It changed the way people looked at Paris and France as a whole. It evolutionized structures around the world as many buildings would copy the foundations and ideas presented in the Pont Neuf and the Place Royale. Not many buildings in the world have made such an economic boost than the Place Royale did for the city of Paris. Besides the captivating design, the consistency of symmetry and color and texture of the Place Royale, it produced business and commercial to be easily accessible. It also made benefits such as providing residences for the Parisians. There weren't any disadvantages for the Parisians that stemmed from both the Pont Neuf and the Place Royale. One may suggest that these old buildings are not sustainable. That is wrong. In fact, thanks to the materials used to build the Pont Neuf and Place Royale (brick and stone), the two iconic monuments were able to stand the test of time and still contribute to be a big part of the Paris community. Below are photos of the Pont Neuf (left) and the Place Royale (right). You can see that these structures are still intact and look polished. These structures were more than
Paris was becoming increasingly incompatible with the complexity of capitalist economy in its organization of production and consumption. Streets were overcrowded and obstructed with barriers that made it practically impossible to efficiently run the circulation of goods. Harvey argues that this, in addition to the political and economic circumstances, not only caused confusion and fear that threatened the capitalist system, but also triggered a socialist sentiment that frightened the bourgeoisie. Thus, many of them fled Paris in fear of communist revolution. Harvey claims that in order to ease the social tensions that threatened the city, the Emperor adopted, with the Haussmann’s support, the goal to ameliorate the efficiency of the commerce in Paris and to appease the working classes through the construction of new physical infrastructures. Through the building of a new Paris, the Emperor hoped to gain the favour of both the working class and the bourgeoisie, while also contributing to the improvement of the economic
called the New Paris, or the modern capital of Europe. The streets , buildings and the services
There are many cumulative events that have influenced Western Civilization reflective in today’s modern world, but the most impactful was the French Revolution. Western Civilization has many historic milestones building to the world as we know it, but none set such broad themes that are felt in our everyday life. Many of these themes have become so ingrained into the way we live that we can’t understand a world without them. For this reason, the effects of the French Revolution molded the westernized world more so than any other event. I consider the French Revolution the catalyst to how our world is shaped today. It’s ideas and events continue to echo through our lives century after century.
Henri Lefebvre was a French social theorist and philosopher who had been appropriated into the world of urban studies by a generation of geographers, architects and urban planners. The Production of Space is often cited as Lefebvre’s best-known work despite the English translation not being issued until 1991, 17 years after its first publication in French (1974). In France, Lefebvre is known as a “Marxist philosopher cum rural-urban sociologist” who “brought an accessible Marx to a whole generation of French scholars” (Merrifield 2006: xxxvii). During Lefebvre’s career he penned 67 books; however, to this day the majority have not been translated into English, which explains why The Production of Space is his most influent work in English speaking countries. The book itself takes in a vast array of disciplines and is informed by the “project of a different society, a different mode of production, where social practice would be governed by differe...
...’s book accomplishes a lot in its timid three hundred pages, it lacks more examples of modern architecture and historical landmarks such as the ones discussed above. Also, the lack of chronological order is a new approach, but it might not appeal to all readers.
While Paris at the surface has a rich culture and its own intriguing history, the city below holds the souls of millions, many of which are still present today. The catacombs of Paris play a major part in Paris’s history, contribute horrifying myths and legends to the Parisian culture, and continue to be relevant and offer stories and adventures to the modern day explorer. If you ever find yourself in the “City of Light” always remember you are standing over the empire of the
The phrase Paris capital of modernity refers to the time in the second half of the nineteenth century when Paris was considered one of the most innovative cities in the world. This was largely a result of Haussmann’s renovation of the city between 1851 and 1869. A Prefect of Paris under Napoleon III, he transformed Paris into a city with wide streets, new shops and cafes, and a unified architecture.
Rose, J. K. (1997, November 8). The city beautiful movement. University of Virginia. Retrieved December 28, 2010, from http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/citybeautiful/city.html
Paris is the home of Western World cultures and many famous designers and artist even after the end of world war II United States of America even tried to take over the control and leadership of vital art areas France was still determined to keep the records of the past arts as well as the leadership. ...
...y cleaning of façades, building docks on the Garonne River, and creating underground trains that run on a power supply that is also underground. Because of Alain Juppé, the city is now recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Classification (Guide to The Aquitaine Region of France).
The Eiffel Tower has become associated with Paris; a symbol. It is an icon for France, travel and romance, among others. What made this Tower vastly popular is the cause of copious reasons. The most prominent reason is that it was a major point of controversy between Gustave Eiffel and the artists of Paris. Parisians opposed the construction of this atrocity. In a manifesto signed in 1887, two years before the Tower was built, artists of Paris claimed that the beauty of Paris will be debased by the repulsiveness of the edifice. They stated that artists from around the world would have the right to openly mock Paris. They opposed it remarkably so, that, quoting from the signed proposal, they insisted for twenty years “we will see stretching out over the entire city, still quivering with genius from so many centuries, we will see stretching out like a growing ink spot, the hateful shadow of the hateful column of bolted iron”. Gustave Eiffel responds eloquently with the promise that the building is stable and that there is a certain attraction to structures as immense as the Eiffel Tower. He compares his design to the pyramids in Egypt. His comparison is that if the pyra...
...er is still an economic boost to the city of London as a must see. Because the structure was so impressive, it brought quite a bit of tourism to the city. The designs were extremely important to the people because it showed the greatness of their country and still held the conservative belief that was once lost in the past. It just goes to show just how important it was to the church, the people, and to the commonwealth of the cities and towns that had such amazing structures erected.
Levin, Miriam, When the Eiffel Tower was New: French Visions of Progress at the Centennial of the Revolution South Hadley, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 1989
The architecture of Versailles makes it one of the most elaborate and detailed structures in history. Its amazing detail gives it the royal feeling that its send to people every day. "Built by Louis XIV, it was transformed into an immense and extravagant complex surrounded by a stylized English and French gardens; every detail of its construction glorified the king." ("Versailles, Palace of." Encyclopedia Britannica) I ts garden is one of the most well-known and largest with its tree-lined paths, flowerbeds, fountains, and lakes. The king was extremely happy with what he had built for himself, his officials, and his people. He tried to make it the best possible for everyone and have a representable landmark for France. "The Baroque style of the architecture characteristic of Versailles impresses people by its luxury, with its colossal murals, rows of monumental statues, and a...
Finally, this paper will explore the “end product” that exists today through the works of the various authors outlined in this course and explain how Los Angeles has survived many decades of evolution, breaking new grounds and serving as the catalyst for an urban metropolis.