Paris, after a flirtation with tall buildings that has led to two or three controversial projects scattered about the edge of its centre, last week reimposed old rules that ban buildings above 37 metres (121ft).
Paris is also striving to make itself into an exceptionally sustainable big city, one more desirable than it already is, by making its public spaces and river banks as attractive as possible to pedestrians and cyclists, reducing car use, and implementing the concept of the “15-minute city”, whereby the essentials of life are close to your home. Its policy on tall buildings is part of that bigger picture.
A tale of two cities: Paris proves that you don’t need skyscrapers to thrive (The Guardian, Sunday, June 11, 2023)
