Baron Haussmann

Baron Haussmann was a French urban planner who dramatically redesigned Paris in the mid-1800s. Appointed by Emperor Napoleon III, he transformed the city's architecture and street layout to improve sanitation, traffic flow, and public health. His major projects included broadening streets, creating iconic boulevards, parks, and open spaces, as well as modernizing infrastructure like plumbing and sewage systems. While his renovations made Paris more beautiful and functional, they also involved demolishing many old neighborhoods. Haussmann’s work significantly shaped the modern appearance of Paris and influenced urban planning worldwide.