The Arcades Project - Operi

'-If we had to define, in a word, word, the new spirit that was coming to preside over the
transformation of Paris, we would have to call it megalomania. The emperor and
his his prefect prefect aim aim to to make make Paris Paris the the capital capital not not only only of of France France but but of of the the world world .... . ...
Cosmopolitan Paris will he the result." Duhech and d'Espezel, p. 404. [E5a,2]
I.-Three facts will dominate the project to transform Paris: a strategic fact that
demands, at the city's city's center, the break-up break-up of the ancient capital capital and a a new arrangement
of the hub of Paris; a natural fact, the push westward; and a fact
entailed entailed by the systematic megalomania
of the idea of annexing the suburbs."
Duhech and d'Espezel, p. 406.
[E5a,3]
Jules Ferry, opponent of Haussmann, at the news of the surrender at Sedan: "'The
armies armies of the emperor are defeated!" Cited in Dubech and d'Espezel, p. 430.
[E5a,4]
I.r.Until I.r.Until Haussmann, Haussmann, Paris Paris had had been been a a city city of of moderate moderate dimensions, dimensions, where where it it was was
logical to let experience rule; it developed according to pressures dictated by nature,
according to laws inscribed in the facts of history and in the face of the
landscape. Brusquely, Haussmann accelerates accelerates and crowns the work work of revolutionary
and and imperial centralization. . . . An artificial and inordinate creation,
emerged emerged like like Minerva Minerva from from the the head head of of Jupiter, Jupiter, born born amid amid the the abuse abuse of of the the spirit spirit of of
authority, this work had need of the spirit spirit of authority in order to develop according
to its own logic. No sooner was it born, than it was cut off at the source source .... . ...
Here was the paradoxical spectacle of a a construction artificial in principle but but
abandoned in fact only to rules imposed by nature." Dubech and d'Espezel,
pp. pp.443-444. 443-444. [E5a,5]
r.r.Haussmann cut immense gaps right through Paris, and carried out the most
startling startling operations. operations. It It seemed seemed as as if if Paris Paris would would never never endure endure his his surgical surgical experiexperiments.ments. And yet, today, does it not not exist merely as a consequence consequence of his daring and
courage? His equipment was meager; the shovel, the pick, the wagon, the trowel,
the the wheelbarrow-the wheelbarrow-the simple simple tools tools of of every every race race ... ... hefore hefore the the mechanical mechanical age. age.
His achievement was truly truly admirable." Le Corbusier, Corbusier, Urbanisme (Paris (Paris