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Architects Plan Brave New Paris

Sarkozy proposes futuristic sustainable city

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 13, 2009 7:30 AM CDT

(Newser) – Paris may be getting a facelift, the Telegraph reports. Nicolas Sarkozy invited 10 leading architects to cook up Grand Paris 2030, giving them "the absolute freedom to dream." Sarkozy aims to open up the city to its suburbs, shorten intra-city commutes, and create vast green spaces. The architects will now present their plans to the public for debate.

Some of the architects’ ideas:

Create an “archipelago” of four economic “buds” around Paris and move a massive train station outside the city.
Build the “Grand Paris of Poets” in a flower shape, complete with new cultural landmarks.
Create 20 sustainable towns, each with a population of 500,000; double the number of forests; and plant fields outside the city so urbanites can farm their own food.

Sarkozy has asked architects to come up with a sustainable city of the future. (Shutterstock)

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Sarkozy Unveils 'Robin Hood' Tax

Financial transactions to be taxed starting this summer

France Toughens Citizenship Gauntlet

Now citizens must pass test of language, 'values'

Snub? Sarkozy, Cameron Have Handshake Fail

Even body language is under scrutiny at euro summit

Sarkozy: Change—or Kiss Eurozone Goodbye

At odds with Germany over ECB, deflation, budget enforcement

French Built Fake Paris to Fool German Bombers

Replica city wasn't finished by end of WWI

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

environment • Nicolas Sarkozy • France • Paris • urban planning • city

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

Sarkozy Unveils 'Robin Hood' Tax

Financial transactions to be taxed starting this summer

France Toughens Citizenship Gauntlet

Now citizens must pass test of language, 'values'

Snub? Sarkozy, Cameron Have Handshake Fail

Even body language is under scrutiny at euro summit

Sarkozy: Change—or Kiss Eurozone Goodbye

At odds with Germany over ECB, deflation, budget enforcement

French Built Fake Paris to Fool German Bombers

Replica city wasn't finished by end of WWI

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Newser By Users

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