The Failure of France's Urban Policy?

'Structural problems' with France's urban policies, wed with 'long-term neglect of the country's impoverished suburbs,' is being blamed for the gradually intensifying, and now international, riots.

1 minute read

November 8, 2005, 5:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"According to many French analysts, the worst wave of urban violence for many decades is a damning indictment of government initiatives.

...In the late 1990s, for instance, the then Socialist-led government launched initiatives like 50 Great City Projects and 30 Urban Renewal Operations.

Since 2002, the centre-right government has continued with this approach, demolishing high-rise blocks with gusto and investing heavily in new buildings."

Read the full story: France's city policy in tatters

Monday, November 7, 2005 in BBC

Social / Demographics Europe

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

Start Learning

Advertise with us

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.