Various groups of citizens — citizens of the world, not just residents of Paris — are up in arms and rightly so about the mayor of Paris' irresponsible project to build several skyscrapers in Paris.
The sudden death of President Georges Pompidou 40 years ago saved Paris from the worst of this modernizer's madness. Now we have an otherwise reasonable mayor, Bertrand Delanoe (with two dots over the "e", which my software will not allow, editor's note), who is as fascinated by high-rises as was the first minister of culture, Andre' Malraux. Malraux is credited (this is complicated, so I won't editorialize) for saving the Marais and various other parts of the city. However he too wanted towers. I have a section in my book (Paris, Paris) about this.
As regards the current ill-advised project, my feeling is, the world needs to prevent the construction of the triangular or pyramidal building on the Seine in the 15th arrondissement, as well as the kitschy horror by Jean Nouvel proposed for the 13th, and should work to make sure the projects designed by Renzo Piano, for the 17th arrondissement, are as good as they can be (parking, roadways, greenery, etc…). I am not a fan of any of these projects, but if we can only win one battle let it be to stop the monstrosity on the Seine.
Please understand I am not an enemy of contemporary architecture. That would be retrograde and idiotic. But there is good architecture and bad architecture. What the mayor has in mind is wrong-headed and will damage the Paris skyline, and cause far more problems than it will resolve. I am concerned about the urban landscape and accessibility — and the atmosphere/feel of this city.
So as not to reproduce or render redundant all the hard work already done by fellow Paris-lovers such as Leonard Pitt, and SOS Paris, a Paris group dedicated to the preservation of all the things we love about Paris, I am simply pasting the material Pitt sent me. In haste…
Paris On The Brink!
Does Paris Need Skyscrapers!
Of course not!
But the Mayor of Paris thinks so!
Three giant projects are in the works with more to come.
None of this is for housing. It's all offices and expensive hotels. (See photos below)
We want to send a million letters from around the world to tell Mayor Delanoë
that we love Paris with its skyline intact.
That's right LETTERS, not email. Letters are more inconvenient and that's what we need.
Be radical! Use a stamp!
Address an envelope to:
Mr. Bertrand Delanoë (Note two dots over the E.)
Mayor of Paris
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
Paris, France
75004
Include your return address on the envelope.
U.S. postage is $1.05 or three Forever stamps.
Mailing date from US, November 24.
This is important.
We want a flood of letters from around the world to hit Paris City Hall
the first week of December for greatest impact.
Short message is good. English is fine.
Here are three templates:
Dear Mr. Delanoë, (Note two dots over the E.)
Why make Paris look like every other city in the world?
Paris is unique!
Paris is Paris!
Skyscrapers will diminish Paris in the eyes of the world.
Please let Paris be Paris!
Sincerely, (or it you prefer, Sincerement)
Your name
Or even simpler:
Dear Mr. Delanoë,
Ville-Musée – Non!
Ville-Bijou – Oui!
No Towers, SVP
Sincerely,
Your name
or
Dear Mr. Delanoë,
Ne gâchez pas Paris.
Do not spoil Paris.
No Towers SVP.
Sincerely,
Your name
For an an excellent article by Mary Campbell Gallagher with more complete background information follow this link:
http://blog.classicist.org/?p=5475
Here are the three projects waiting to happen.
This is just the beginning!
The Tour Triangle for the 15th arrondisement. Architect: Herzog & de Meuron.
The new courthouse for the 17th arrondisement. Architect, Renzo Piano.
The current courthouse is on Ile de la Cité, a 3 minute walk from largest hospital in Paris. There are plans to move the hospital to another location. This means the current hospital site will be empty, which means plenty of room for the courthouse to expand.
The majority of lawyers do not want to leave the center of Paris for the edge of Paris and are, guess what! Suing!
The "Duo" for the 13th arrondissement. Offices, commerce, some hotel space. Architect: Jean Nouvel.
Save Paris! Put a letter in the mail on THE DAY!
November 24 – from US
December 1 – within Europe
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