After numerous roadblocks and failed attempts at renovation, the city of Paris seems to have a promising jump on bringing new life to Les Halles, once one of the city's main marketplaces and now an area many Parisians completely avoid.
"Since its elegant 19th-century steel-and-glass markets were torn down in the early 1970s, failure has been the zone's leitmotiv. The so-called Forum and the landscaped gardens which replaced the 12 pavilions have never been popular, but attempts to replace them have frequently tripped up."
"The real challenge facing architects Berger and Anziutti, though, is that they are not starting from scratch: they are expected to build something new without replacing all the old."
"The razing of Les Halles some 35 years ago led first to what became known as the "black hole" of Paris, an enormous area of excavated land which scarred the city for almost a decade as arguments raged over what should be built."
"When the Forum was finally inaugurated in 1981 by the city's mayor at the time, Jacques Chirac, most construction had taken place below ground, notably with an enormous station serving the metro system and the RER regional train network and five levels of shops linked by escalators. Resembling steel-and-glass mushrooms, the buildings above the ground included a small museum and other shops."
FULL STORY: Paris try-trying again to give Les Halles a facelift
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie