Regards croisés sur l’espace urbain : matérialité et immatérialité des architectures d’un quartier

Abstract

This article explores an interdisciplinary approach to the architectural history of a Parisian neighbourhood between 1750 and 1950, integrating multiple disciplines including architectural history, urban history, art history, geography, and digital humanities, and drawing on a range of visual, cartographic, and textual sources. As part of the “Richelieu. Histoire du quartier” project, it examines how digital tools contribute to analyzing the spatial and cultural dynamics of the area. The study highlights the value of a multi-scalar analysis of the district, conceived as a network of interactions between architecture, social practices, and representations. Visual documentation, both as a record and a reflection of contemporary perceptions, reveals the complexity of urban spaces. GIS-based data visualization brings to light the connections between buildings, activities, and professional figures. The case study of the Palais Brongniart illustrates this approach: beyond its physical presence, the building’s integration into broader economic and cultural dynamics emerges through representations linking it to the fictional character Robert Macaire. By examining materiality, uses, and mental constructs, this research demonstrates how micro-historical analysis, visual culture studies, and data modeling can deepen our understanding of urban spaces.