Final answer:
The Hausmann Renovations, also known as the Hausmann Plan, were a major urban renewal project in Paris led by Baron Haussmann between 1853-1870, which introduced broad boulevards, improved sewage systems, and street lighting while displacing the urban poor to accommodate the new middle class.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Hausmann Renovations, or Hausmann Plan, refer to the comprehensive urban renewal project initiated by Baron Haussmann during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III between 1853 and 1870. The goal was to transform the medieval infrastructure of Paris into a modern city with broad boulevards, new sewers, and street lighting, which would make policing easier and relieve the city from its dark and narrow streets.
Beyond improving living conditions and hygiene, these renovations led to the displacement of the urban poor and catered to the burgeoning bourgeoisie with the construction of high-end storefronts and apartment buildings. The plan's massive changes to the city structure also influenced the arts, with the Impressionists finding inspiration in the modern spectacle that Paris became.
The redesign has left an indelible mark on the city, making Paris known as "the city of lights." This transformation stands as an example of how architectural developments can reshape not only the physical landscape of a city but also its cultural and social dynamics.