Marseille, is there a way to redevelop the city centre without its inhabitants?
[Christina SAM YUE CHI, Yâsimîn VAUTOR yasimin@ifrance.com 2004/2005] 
The current debate is about the redevelopment of the “rue de la Republique” which lies in the popular part of Marseille.
“Rue de la Republique” is not the only street involved in the redevelopment program of the city. The buildings on this street have been owned by real estate developers for more than one and half century. Earlier this area was popular for its local culture and its inhabitance. But nowadays the current private owners are not interested in the maintenance of the building. The heritage is slowly becoming ruins. Following the new policies of city centers’ revitalization, this particular street is seen as an important issue for private developers.
The redevelopment of this area is followed by a changing of its inhabitants. The so to say low class population is thrown out so as to accommodate middle and high class population, who reflect the new vision of the city, modern and clean.
Can we think of the city without its inhabitants? Don’t we have to think about the authenticity of each particular area of the city? The “popular” part of the city centre constitutes an essential part of the identity of Marseille. Several surveys were made by some students of the architecture school of Paris la Villette based on interviews of inhabitants of this particular street which are forced to leave their rented flat.
The current debate is about the redevelopment of the “rue de la Republique” which lies in the popular part of Marseille.
“Rue de la Republique” is not the only street involved in the redevelopment program of the city. The buildings on this street have been owned by real estate developers for more than one and half century. Earlier this area was popular for its local culture and its inhabitance. But nowadays the current private owners are not interested in the maintenance of the building. The heritage is slowly becoming ruins. Following the new policies of city centers’ revitalization, this particular street is seen as an important issue for private developers.
The redevelopment of this area is followed by a changing of its inhabitants. The so to say low class population is thrown out so as to accommodate middle and high class population, who reflect the new vision of the city, modern and clean.
Can we think of the city without its inhabitants? Don’t we have to think about the authenticity of each particular area of the city? The “popular” part of the city centre constitutes an essential part of the identity of Marseille. Several surveys were made by some students of the architecture school of Paris la Villette based on interviews of inhabitants of this particular street which are forced to leave their rented flat.
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