Place de la République

The refurbishment of the Place de la République in Paris was driven by the desire to create an extended pedestrian zone with direct access to the square. Now Parisians can enjoy this multi-purpose, car-free area with its mineral soil base that can be put to many uses, including a large green field right in the city centre. Meeting these objectives required the reorganisation of traffic and pedestrian flows, the creation of new use-hierarchies, while maintaining the focus on the many ways this public space will be used. Fountains, green areas, and references to the urban past are highlighted to underscore the square’s identity and usefulness.