Modernising Post-war France: Architecture and Urbanism during Les Trente Glorieuses

This book explores the role of architects, engineers, and planners in transforming France during the three post-war decades of growing prosperity, focusing on how architecture and urbanism served the cause of modernisation and shaped the identity of the new France. It also examines the critique of state-sponsored modernisation by radical architects.

Format: Hardback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the profound impact of architects, engineers, and planners on transforming France during the three post-war decades of remarkable prosperity, a period when modernisation held a paramount position in the state's agenda, offering a path forward from the aftermath of defeat in 1940 to a prominent position in the emerging European landscape. The first part of the book takes readers on a captivating journey, showcasing the vast scale of transformation that unfolded. It explores how architecture and urbanism, as powerful tools, played a pivotal role in shaping the modern identity of the new France. The narrative highlights how mainstream modernism, initially embraced by the state, was seamlessly integrated to serve its objectives, from the construction of significant public buildings to the ambitious Gaullist plans for transforming Paris into the "capital of Europe."

However, the book goes beyond the surface, delving into the critical examination of state-sponsored modernisation. It sheds light on the dissenting voices of radical architects, such as Le Corbusier and the young Turks of the 1960s, who challenged the limitations of mainstream modernism and its inability to address the growing problems of France's cities. The aftermath of May 1968 marked a significant turning point, as the Beaux-Arts was closed, and the Grand Prix de Rome, a symbol of the old order, was abolished. While the establishment might have briefly maintained its previous status quo, progressive architecture embarked on a new and transformative course.

Beautifully illustrated and meticulously crafted to be accessible to a wide audience, this book sets the discussion of architecture and urbanism within the broader social, political, and economic contexts. It appeals to students and scholars of architecture and urbanism, as well as those with a keen interest in France's post-war history. By contextualising the architectural and urban transformations, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay. It sheds a deeper appreciation of the role played by architects, engineers, and planners in shaping the architectural and urban landscape of France during this pivotal period of profound change.

Weight: 720g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367556501