Haussmann, Georges-Eugène, Baron

(1809-1891)

   administrator, urban planner

   Georges-Eugène, Baron Haussmann, who extensively redesigned paris during the reign of napoléon III (1852-70), was born in that city and began his administrative career shortly after the revolution of July 1830. He supported Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte in the coup d'état of December 2, 1851, then the establishment of the second empire. Haussmann became prefect of the Seine (1853) and remained in that post for 17 years, becoming also a senator and a baron. His plan for the reconstruction of Paris called for new and wider boulevards, new parks, in particular the Bois de Boulogne, and railway stations outside the city. Much of medieval Paris was demolished during his rebuilding. The main part of Haussmann's plans involved grand boulevards punctuated by circular plazas. This also facilitated troop movements and prevented the erection of barricades. such boulevards provide beautiful vistas of such landmarks as the Opéra and the arc de triomphe. In large part, Haussmann's efforts to embellish and clean up the capital were done to enhance the reputation and prestige of the regime and to eliminate the old quarters of the city that, since 1789 had been places of revolutionary activity. These improvements, however, forced the working-class population to migrate to the suburbs. Haussmann, to realize his project to transform Paris, became involved in some questionable financial matters and was strongly attacked in public opinion and in the national legislature. After the publication of jules ferry's critical Comptes fantastiques d'Haussmann, Haussmann was replaced (1869). Nonetheless, his innovations had a major influence on later urban design, especially in Europe, Latin America, and many former French colonies.