Design & Architecture

In terms of urban design and sustainability, Paris has been a real role model in the last few years. With simultaneous projects to remake its river banks as green spaces, build subsidized housing developments throughout the city, and to redesign a number of neighborhoods, the city is on a roll. Add one more project to the list: the redesign of Les Halles, the combination park, cinema, shopping mall, and transit hub that lies in the heart of Paris.

First established at the end of the 12th century by King Philippe II, Les Halles was Paris’ central market, but as the City grew, it required frequent enlargements and redesigns, and long proved a trouble for a series of kings, emperors and presidents. In 1971, the marketplace was demolished and replaced with an underground shopping mall, with a park and a central of the RER.

The Park and the Canopy

In February, the City broke ground on its project to give Les Halles a major makeover, starting with the park. The plans include the removal of 340 trees, but it’s not a total loss: they will be recycled and eventually replaced by 513 trees. According to the City, it was a necessary evil: the trees had to be removed to allow the project to move ahead.

But looking to the future, the new and improved park will include play areas for children of all ages, as well as a pavilion, called La Place René Cassin, which will offer a remarkable view of the Eglise St Eustache, pictured below.

One completely new feature of the redesigned Les Halles will be the Canopy, a covered area that will still be open to the outside, creating a patio that will connect the park to the shopping area and transit hub. Adjoining the Canopy will be an enlarged library and conservatory, a brand new hip-hop center, and commercial space.

Getting Around

Right in the middle of Paris, Les Halles can be a tricky place to navigate: five metro lines and three RER lines converge at its station, not to mention a huge number of regular and night bus lines that meet above ground. So the new and improved Halles will include numerous pedestrian walkways, both above and underground. Two new entrances will be added to bring the total to eight. And the RER and Metro station will be enlarged, reorganized and better connected to the outside to make it easier and quicker to get from Point A to Point B.

Overall, one has to be impressed with the scope and ambition of this project, especially as Paris has so much else going on. What remains to be seen is how well the City can pull it off, and whether its leaders will succeed where Napoleon and plenty of other France’s best have failed. Will the city center finally be organized?

For photos, renderings and details of the project, visit its website.

(Source: www.treehugger.com )