This Town Did The Impossible

Summary

This video tells the remarkable transformation of Le Plessis-Robinson, a town near Paris, from a decaying community to a vibrant, attractive place. The turnaround was led by Mayor Philippe Pemezec, architect François Spoerry, and a social program. They implemented 'soft architecture', a new town center, and a river ecosystem, blending urban density with nature. The town's success is attributed to long-term vision, smart policies, and a focus on beauty, offering lessons in urban renewal and social housing.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Le Plessis-Robinson, a town near Paris, transformed from a decaying, crime-ridden place to a thriving, beautiful community.
• 🗳️ The transformation began in 1989 with the election of Mayor Philippe Pemezec, who aimed to beautify the town using 'soft architecture' and mixed-use urban design.
• 🏘️ The town transitioned from grey concrete blocks to vibrant, colorful streets, creating a livable environment with parks, shops, and community spaces.
• 🏡 The town balanced social housing with private housing, allowing residents to buy homes at affordable prices, fostering a diverse community.
• 🌿 A major feature of the redevelopment was the creation of a river ecosystem and green spaces, enhancing biodiversity and making the town more attractive.
• 🚶 Le Plessis-Robinson embraced the concept of a walkable city, encouraging residents to walk or bike to shops and services, leading to health and social benefits.
• 🏆 The town's transformation was so successful that it won multiple urban renewal prizes and became a model for other suburbs around Paris.
• 🏘️ The town reduced social housing from 72% but introduced a program allowing tenants to buy homes, mitigating the effects of gentrification.
• 🌸 The mayor emphasized the importance of beauty, believing that attractive surroundings uplift the human spirit and improve quality of life.
• 💡 The town's success is attributed to long-term vision, smart policies, and the effective combination of dense urban planning with green spaces and mixed housing.

Q & A

What was the initial state of Le Plessis-Robinson before its transformation?

Le Plessis-Robinson was a gloomy and dispirited town dominated by decaying concrete flats, with a high concentration of marginalized groups, rubbish, petty crime, and poverty. Two-thirds of the buildings were in a bad state, energy inefficient, vandalized, and poorly maintained.

Who were the key figures behind the transformation of Le Plessis-Robinson?

The transformation was led by a steadfast mayor named Philippe Pemezec, a visionary architect François Spoerry, and with the help of other stakeholders including the community.

What is the concept of 'architecture douce' or 'soft architecture' mentioned in the script?

'Architecture douce' or 'soft architecture' refers to a style that contrasts with the harsh, brutal, and grey concrete blocks. It is more traditional, classical, and aims to create a connection with the people by using color and more inviting designs.

How did Le Plessis-Robinson address the issue of social housing during its transformation?

The town introduced a mix of social and owner-occupied housing to create a more natural social and income class diversity. They also offered social housing tenants the chance to become homeowners by buying new homes under favorable terms.

What was the role of the 'Coeur de Ville' in the redevelopment of Le Plessis-Robinson?

The 'Coeur de Ville' was a new town center constructed with a mix of apartments, shops, and squares. It was a significant step in the town's transformation, aiming to create a vibrant, mixed-use center with lively streets.

What challenges did the redevelopment of the garden cities from the 1920s and 30s face?

The redevelopment faced challenges such as needing approval from the chief architect of 'Bâtiments de France' due to the historic nature of the garden cities. The project also encountered massive cost overruns, earning the title of 'most expensive rehabilitation in France'.

How did the town of Le Plessis-Robinson incorporate nature into its urban design?

The town incorporated nature by creating a lush meandering strip of parks dominated by a 1 km river ecosystem, filled with fish, waterbirds, plants, and insects. This was designed to improve the biodiversity of the town.

What are the seven critical success factors mentioned in the script that led to the town's transformation?

The seven critical success factors are: 1) Long-term vision, 2) Smart policies, 3) Getting the urban form right, 4) Making social housing beautiful, 5) Creating more than just a park, 6) Focusing on walkability, and 7) Recognizing that beauty matters.

How did the transformation impact the employment rate in Le Plessis-Robinson?

The transformation led to a 50% increase in employment within the town, making it a more vibrant and economically stable community.

What is the concept of a '15-minute city' mentioned in the script?

A '15-minute city' is a concept where daily needs such as shops, services, and amenities are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from home, promoting walkability and a more pleasant way of life.

What were the potential downsides of the transformation mentioned in the script?

The potential downsides included the risk of gentrification, a decline in social housing, some original inhabitants moving out, and an increase in the average income of the town, which could lead to a less diverse community.