As the third session of the pluri-annual programme dedicated to the history of Grand Paris, the international symposium “Inventing Greater Paris -Inventer le Grand Paris-” mobilized knowledge emerging from urban research seen from a transnational and interdisciplinary angle. It followed on from the previous two symposiums which took place at the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine and the Petit Palais in 2013 and 2014.
These two periods spent studying and debating focused on the organisation of Grand Paris and its initial development projects which took place during the first half of the 20th century.
The 2015 symposium dealt with another foundational period. It put Grand Paris in perspective between the Second World War and the instigation of the Paris Region Development and Urbanism Master Plan (SDAURP) presented to the general public in 1965.
It brings together researchers from numerous countries to talk about the history of metropolises marked by the population, economic and territorial expansion of cities. It shed light on a new approach to urban planning and production and the sharing of development models of large conurbations. Discussions also addressed questions concerning present day Grand Paris in an endeavor to gain a better understanding of the urban, social, political and economic issues linked to the construction of metropolises.
Christiane Blancot, Director of Studies at Apur went over the genesis of the Master Urban Plan and the modernisation of Paris. Dominique Alba, managing directress of Apur, participated in the final round-table on 1st December.