 Planning law, power, and practice: Haussmann in Paris (1853--1870)Planning Perspectives, 2016, vol. 31, issue 3, 341-361 Abstract: The transformation of Paris by Haussmann (1853--1870) is presented as a classic case of state-led modernization. What most accounts do not take into consideration is that Haussmann faced formidable opposition from property owners in his attempts to realize the emperor's ambitions for Paris, an opposition that centred on competing interpretations and uses of planning law. Based on heretofore unstudied archival material, this paper traces Haussmann's attempts to establish his (at times) creative use of planning law as legitimate in a context where planning was firmly in the hands of property owners. Haussmann's strategic use of the law, or planning practice, was able to lay bare the fact that planning law has no legitimacy in itself -- only particular uses of the law can gain or lose legitimacy. Planning power can thus be defined as the possession of legitimacy in the use of planning law; and since the legal framework is a site of contest rather than a source of legitimacy, planning power depends on external legitimation. In the Haussmann case it is clear that state backing was central, even though (implicit) early support from the Parisian population cannot be ruled out until more research has been conducted. Date: 2016 Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:rppexx:v:31:y:2016:i:3:p:341-361 Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from DOI: 10.1080/02665433.2015.1089414 Access Statistics for this article Planning Perspectives is currently edited by Michael Hebbert More articles in Planning Perspectives from Taylor & Francis Journals |
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