2023-03-10 08:00:00
The architect and left-wing activist Roland Castro, who wanted to “remodel” the concrete cities of the big cities, died Thursday at the age of 82. “He died peacefully surrounded by family in a Paris hospital,” his family told AFP. We owe in particular to Roland Castro the renovation of the Cité de la Caravelle in Villeneuve-la-Garenne, among others. He also signed the Cité de la Bande Dessinée in Angoulême and the Bourse du Travail in the city of Saint-Denis.
He had acquired his notoriety by associating his vision of housing with a political fight. The architect has constantly highlighted the relationship between town planning and social ties, wishing to “convince his fellow citizens and those who represent them that the suburbs are not catchalls for those excluded from society”.
Tributes
“Legend of architecture and urbanism, visionary left-wing activist, Roland Castro has left us. To our urban landscape, he bequeaths an indelible imprint. To the citizens, an inspiration. Goodbye and thank you, Roland”, tweeted the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, at whose request Roland Castro wrote a report on the Greater Paris project in 2018.
“I will miss this warm friend, of all the fights and who had so many lives. Paris will pay tribute to him”, reacted on Twitter the mayor of the capital, Anne Hidalgo.
Revolutionary Maoist
Born on October 16, 1940 in Limoges to Jewish parents, Roland Castro spent his early years in the Limousin hinterland, in one of the first maquis of the Resistance. From these four years, he will keep the idea that he must pay “a debt of existence to France”.
After entering the Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1958, he carried suitcases for the Algerian FLN, before joining the Union of Communist Students. He will end up embracing Maoism and the revolutionary struggle, a banner under which he will militate in May 68.
From Banlieues 89 to Central Park de la Courneuve
In 1983, he co-founded Banlieues 89 with his friend, the town planner Michel Cantal-Dupart. The initiative dates back to François Mitterrand, who entrusted an interministerial mission to Roland Castro. More than 200 projects are submitted to Banlieues 89. But the operation is confronted with the financial reluctance of the government and Banlieues 89 disappears in 1991.
Sometimes Mitterrandien, sometimes supporter of the PCF and more recently of Emmanuel Macron, Roland Castro had created his own party, the “Movement for concrete utopia”, with which he had launched into the presidential election of 2007, without collecting sponsorships required.
After the 2017 election, the head of state had entrusted him with a report on Greater Paris, submitted in 2018, but which had remained a dead letter. In particular, he defended a dream project of 30 years: the “Central Park” of La Courneuve.
On social networks, many reactions:
A militant from the beautiful city has gone.
Roland Castro, visionary architect, leftist. Enabling everyone to find housing with dignity was his compass, carrying social housing in his guts to offer everyone a roof.
Very touched, in thought with his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/53WsKnEPGM
— Olivier Klein (@OlivierKlein93) March 10, 2023
He was an urban architect with a deeply active civic engagement.
The world today loses a committed and political figure who has long accompanied the policies of the city and the suburbs as much from his achievements as from his speech.— Christine Leconte (@c_leconte) March 10, 2023
The disappearance of Roland Castro makes me sad. Such a talented architect, he loved the suburbs, the city and its people. I will miss his tenacity and commitment. pic.twitter.com/6DSuHpDQgI
— Emmanuelle Cosse (@emmacosse) March 10, 2023
The renovation and embellishment project for the Croisette was his last major challenge. An architect with an international reputation, Roland Castro will have, through his committed, resolutely modern vision and his achievements, marked the French history of urban planning. pic.twitter.com/G926MzVTyZ
— David Lisnard (@davidlisnard) March 10, 2023
Hello Roland.
And thank you.
A piece of the history of France of the left, of architecture and town planning goes away with you.Your great sense of friendship, humanity and humor will live on with those who were lucky enough to know you.
— Cecile Duflot (@CecileDuflot) March 10, 2023
The Loss of Roland #Castro is a deep sadness.
He had helped me; I admired him. His trace will remain in our cities and in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/OCATdlDSgW— Clement Beaune (@CBeaune) March 10, 2023
Immense sadness on learning of the death of Roland Castro. A visionary architect, imagining a “Greater Paris” without borders, he made beauty accessible to everyone. His legacy is everywhere in Île-de-France.
— Valerie Pécresse (@vpecresse) March 10, 2023
I learn of the disappearance of Roland Castro with a heavy heart. City thinker, brilliant urban planner, Greater Paris activist, he had this intelligence of gesture, of justice, to create the conditions for living together. Thinking of his family ???????????? pic.twitter.com/LZd7erkcSk
— Véronique Bedague (@VBedague) March 10, 2023
Deep sadness to learn of the death of #RolandCastro, renowned and talented architect. His endearing personality, his passionate commitment and his vision will be greatly missed in the public debate.
Condolences and thoughts to his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/PNIDIEHTGX— Sylvia PINEL (@SylviaPinel) March 10, 2023
Very sad to learn of the disappearance of Roland Castro, a militant architect of popular neighborhoods and suburbs, who thought of the city in a diversified society. Great memory of his visit & his advice to the Fbg of Béthune in @lillefrance Loving thoughts to his family
— Martine Aubry (@MartineAubry) March 10, 2023
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#Roland #Castro #architect #activist #died
