Haussmann

18 planning maps from the 1868 edition of the "General Plan of the City of Paris and its Surroundings" show the transformation and fundamental restructuring of the city of Paris, which was led by Baron Haussmann on behalf of Napoleon III from 1853 to 1870. Narrow, medieval alleys gave way to wide, straight boulevards. These were intended to allow for better ventilation, facilitate troop movements, and create a representative urban appearance. In the course of these reforms, the number of arrondissements was also increased from twelve to twenty in 1860 by incorporating surrounding communities such as Montmartre or Belleville. This almost doubled the city's area. At the same time, uniform facades, a modern sewage system, new water pipes, and green spaces like the Bois de Boulogne were created. All of this made Paris one of Europe's first modern major cities – albeit at the cost of many low-income residents being displaced from the redeveloped center.