The hidden side of metropolization. Governing squats and slums in ...

6
1.2.1. Squats in Paris and IDF: the poorest parts of the territory
At this moment, my data base is still fragmented between squats and slums, and between the
territories. Most of the squats are in the north and east of Paris on the right side of the Seine: a clear
geographical correlation appears between location of squats and local income levels. The 18 th district
is the poorest of Paris. A process of pauperization left vacant shelters and squatters (precarious
families, drug addicts, immigrants but also artists) found these spaces to live in. This district is the
drug market of Paris and attracts many drug addicts. The renovation program implemented by social
developers generated the eviction of squatters and their transfer in the north of Paris (Porte de la
Chapelle). We find also many squats in the 19 th district. There are many vacant spaces and
Brownfield sites. Squatters can easily settle there. Many artists live in this district and there is a
vibrant and active cultural life (the local city council sometimes support them). The 13 th district
hosted many squats during the 2000’s (les Frigos, l’Atoll 13, la Glacière, le Barbizon) but the
renovation program and the intense surveillance device built around the social housings prevent
squats nowadays.
Figure 1 - Geography of squats in Paris (January 2010-December 2010)
Map and data: own conception
Figure 2 - Incomes (median) in Paris (INSEE, 2008)
However, the squats in Paris are more what can be called squats of “activity” which mainly shelter
social centers and artists. They represent up to 80% of the squats in Paris. The rest of the occupations