The Changes of Functions and Urban Structure in Le Havre during the 17th and 18th Centuries

Abstract

This article aims to take a look at the change process of functions of port and city in Le Havre during the 17th and 18th centuries, and understand its urban spatial changes in accordance to their process making use of its contemporary maps and other sources.BR Le Havre can be considered as an earliest example of modern urban planning in that it had been founded under the basic intention of a fortification city and represented the ‘Ideal City’ plan of 16th Century Europe. But French absolutism gave priority to its military port function, and so its port function and spatial utilizations were entirely subordinate to the military goals. However its military function already began to decline in the late 17th century, when Brest was constructed as a new military port and Dunkerque appeared as the center of French North Sea policy. As entering 18th century, Le Havre became functioned as an important entrepot in Atlantic coast of France.BR Nevertheless, its urban structure did not correspond with the commercial port function and its active traffics. Throughout two centuries, its urban spatial structure of 16th century remained intact. Above all, Grande Cirque, the basin du Roi controlled by Navy, entirely cut the quartier Notre Dame off the quartier Saint-Francois. In other words, it separated the administration centre from the commercial centre. In Le Havre, thus, CBD could not be formed and its urban strucuture failed to support the international commere and trade.BR To solve these problems, the Lamande plan was adopted in the late 18th century, and the great renovation works of Le Havre had been carried through from then to 1832. When the works finished, its old ramparts and bastions had been destroyed and its port facilities had been expanded greatly. After all, the spatial expansions of Le Havre linked the administration centre with the commercial centre.