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: Paperback / softback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 30 September 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 the 1940 defeat 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 played pivotal roles in shaping the modern identity of France, serving as powerful tools in the pursuit of modernity. The narrative highlights how mainstream modernism was co-opted by the state, manifesting in iconic public buildings and ambitious plans to transform Paris into the "capital of Europe." In contrast, the second part of the book delves into the critical voices of radical architects who challenged the state-sponsored modernisation agenda. Figures such as Le Corbusier, the young Turks of the 1960s, including Georges Candilis, and the students who attacked the banality of mainstream modernism, are examined in depth. The aftermath of May 1968 marked a significant turning point, with the closure of the Beaux-Arts and the abolition of the Grand Prix de Rome, symbols of the old order. However, this moment also ushered in a new era of progressive architecture, setting it on a transformative course.

Beautifully illustrated and crafted with accessibility in mind, this book provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of architecture and urbanism within their social, political, and economic contexts. It appeals to students and scholars of architecture and urbanism, as well as to those with a broader interest in France's post-war history. By contextualising the discussion, the book offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the role played by architects, engineers, and planners in shaping the architectural and urban landscape of a nation undergoing profound change.

Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367556518