The Future of the Paris Waterfront

Future footbridge Debilly-Palais de Tokyo, rive droite Everyone says that change is positive and I tend to agree. Recently I did a post expressing my disappointment rather emphatically about the transformations this city will likely undergo in the coming months/years. Then, this weekend I read that Sarkozy has given Russia permission to erect an orthodox cathedral next to the Eiffel Tower in what seems to me to be a way to strike a political and economic agreement with Russia than for religious reasons. So far, no design mock-ups of the cathedral have been published but I can foresee it being ostentatious.  Left: Today, Right: Near Hôtel de Ville, widened roads to improve traffic  In a more positive read, however, I read that plans to reconstruct the banks of the Seine river are moving forward and should begin to take shape during the summer of 2012. As it is now, the quay is open to motorists and is often very congested, only car-free for runners, strollers and bikers on Sundays and holidays.  The project is therefore to create a veritable waterfront with activities, green spaces, cafés, restaurants, concert venues, mini islands with with lounge chairs and parasols, sports grounds, and paths reserved for pedestrians.…

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