One Of The World's Most Unspoilt Skylines Is At Risk

A housing and office space crisis is forcing Paris, a city with one of the world's most unspoilt skylines, to consider lifting a 30-year ban on tall buildings.

1 minute read

November 4, 2003, 6:00 AM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"Desperately short of space for new housing and offices, the city that boasts one of the world's most unspoiled skylines is considering lifting a 30-year-old ban on skyscrapers. Paris, which outlawed buildings of more than about eight storeys in the city centre in 1974, is strikingly uncluttered with high-rise towers. But its restricted surface area of 40 square miles - combined with an optimistic election pledge by the Socialist mayor, Bertrand Delanoe, to provide 50,000 new homes - means that the mayor may be forced to build up, rather than out, to meet the city's needs."

Thanks to Michael Kassner

Friday, October 14, 2005 in The Guardian Unlimited

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

5 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

6 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

7 hours ago - Next City