Research On The Renewal Projects Of "Grands Ensembles" In France

To overcome the housing crisis after the World War II, the France government has built a large amount of Grands ensembles under the quick development of urbanization and industrialization. However, more and more people criticized these Grands ensembles for their lack of humanistic space since the 1970s. The low-grade of the physical spaces lead to a decrease of the social stratum in Grands ensembles. The gathering of impoverished people gradually became a big social problem.In 1999, the France government started the Grand Projet de Ville (GPV) which was supported by the financial appropriation from the nation and the city. One of the reforming programs in this project was focused on the ensembles. Beyond the formers city reforming projects, the GPV embodied a social and economic stratum. The measure contained the demolition-reconstruction of the buildings and the reform of the urban space, and mainly focused on the improvement of the residents' living quality and the increase of employment. The government planed to reform the social stratum, lead the social mix and finally merge these ensembles to the city. These projects were expected to form an active and harmonious city life.This thesis introduced the background of the urban renewal politics and the degradation of Grands ensembles in France. Illustrated by the case of Lyon La Duchere with theoretical research and practical demonstration., this thesis indicated that Grands ensembles are renewed because of the degradation of buildings and the environment as well as the depreciation economic and social which makes the depart of middle class and the concentration of disadvantaged people. So the projects will not only change the image of districts, ameliorate the environment and functions but also improve the economic value and promote the social mix. The thesis also discussed the public participation in the process of renewal projects.Based on the reality in China, the final part discussed the practice in the renewal of residential districts in our country. Considering the analogy of the industrialization, urbanization and urban renewal process in China and France, the discussion in the strategy and experience of France might be a good reference to the urban renewal of residential districts in our country.