Rebounding Architecture Revives Paris

Architecture flourishes in either Paris or London, but not both at the same time, according to Tom Dyckhoff. Now it's Paris' turn.

2 minute read

December 30, 2008, 10:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"The Cité is Macfarlane's most important commission to date. But it's more than that. It heralds not only the arrival of a new generation of radical French architects, but also, as Macfarlane suggests, a return to form for a city which, architecturally at least, has long been in the doldrums. Paris's fortune seems inextricably linked to its counterpart across the Channel. Back in the 1980s - when Britain's architectural scene was drearily stuck in its Modernist v the Prince of Wales zero-sum game - all eyes were on Paris, where President Mitterand indulged his "droit du prince" by building grand project after grand project."

"When London's fortunes returned in the 1990s, Paris became stuck in a torpor, while London built Tate Modern, the Eye, the new Great Court at the British Museum. 'When Paris lost to London in its 2012 Olympic bid,' Macfarlane says, 'and rioters took to the streets in the banlieus - that was the low point.' "

"But it's France's old tradition - the droit du prince - that is saving the country again. Last year President Sarkozy invited the world's foremost architects - Foster, Richard Rogers and Hadid among them - to the opening of the biggest architectural museum in the world, the Cité de l'Architecture at the Palais de Chaillot, and called on them to "give back the possibility of boldness to architecture". And Paris, once again, will be the focus. Its Mayor, Bertrand Delanoë, though politically opposed to Sarkozy, shares - some say even inspired - his architectural patronage. Since 2003 he's been attempting to right Paris's urban wrongs - particularly the city's exclusivity."

Thanks to ArchNewsNow

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 in The Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA