This book examines the reconstruction efforts of three European cities: London following the Great Fire of 1666, Lisbon after the devastating earthquake and tsunami of 1755, and Paris under Napoleon III and his prefect Haussmann. It details the catastrophic events that necessitated rebuilding and explores the visions and challenges faced by architects and leaders in reshaping these urban landscapes.
The book further touches upon the political and social contexts influencing these transformations, as well as the lasting impact of these redesigns on the modern cities.
By focusing on these distinct yet parallel urban renewal projects, the book offers a comparative look at city planning and modernization during significant periods of European history.
The book is built from a lecture given by Dr. Kenneth Maxwell at Harvard University in September 2024. The title of the lecture was: “Catastrophes, Urban Renewal, and Modernism: London after the Great Fire of 1666; Lisbon after the Great Earthquake of 1755; Paris under Napoleon III and the Baron Haussmann.”
The core essay started with a look at London and its transformation through crisis and expansion in the 17th-18th Centuries. The essay then addresses the transformation of Lisbon. The November 1, 1755, earthquake was a catastrophic event of immense scale. Its magnitude and impact are emphasized, noting it was “at least three times more powerful than the volcanic eruption of Krakatoa” and the most powerful earthquake to hit Europe in known history. The final part of the essay focuses on the Paris transformation under the Second Empire. Napoleon III envisioned a new Paris with improved housing and sanitation. Georges-Eugène Haussmann was the key figure in implementing this vision, serving as Prefect of the Seine for 17 years.
The first theme highlighted in the book was urban transformation in response to crisis. Both London after the Great Fire and Lisbon after the earthquake underwent significant urban transformations. While London’s rebuilding was more constrained by existing property rights, Lisbon saw a more radical and centrally controlled redesign. Paris’s transformation was driven by political will and a vision of modernization rather than a sudden catastrophic event.
The second theme emphasized was the key role of strong leadership in the transformation process. Figures like Charles II (in a more passive way in London), Pombal in Lisbon, and Napoleon III and Haussmann in Paris played crucial roles in shaping the urban landscapes of their respective cities. Pombal and Haussmann, in particular, exhibited strong, centralized control over the rebuilding and modernization processes.
The third theme emphasized in the essay is the impact of Enlightenment ideas in animating the process of transformation. The Enlightenment ideals of reason, order, and progress influenced the planning of both the rebuilt Lisbon and the modernized Paris, with a focus on functionality, hygiene, and rational urban layouts.
The final theme was the key role of economic drivers of urban development: The growth of empire and trade fueled London’s expansion, while Pombal’s reconstruction aimed to revitalize the Portuguese economy. Haussmann’s projects in Paris also had significant economic implications, driving real estate development and related industries.
The book highlights the interconnectedness of political, social, economic, and intellectual forces in shaping the urban development of these three major European cities during pivotal periods in their history. The responses to crisis and the deliberate efforts at modernization reveal different approaches and priorities, ultimately leaving distinct and lasting legacies.
The book is published in the relevant three languages: English, Portuguese and French.
For a podcast discussing the book, see the following:
The Tale of Three Cities: The Rebuilding of London, Paris, and Lisbon
