Cité ouvrière de Mulhouse, Workers housing organization in Mulhouse, France
The Cité Ouvrière is a worker settlement in Mulhouse with distinctive brick houses arranged in orderly rows, each with small private gardens attached. The development spans a large area with hundreds of these similar houses forming a complete residential quarter.
Founded in 1853, the settlement was created to provide housing for the growing number of factory workers during Mulhouse's industrial expansion. An industrialist's initiative resulted in a novel system where workers could purchase their homes through installment payments.
The settlement embodies a housing concept from the 1800s that provided factory workers with their own homes and gardens. This model shaped how people thought about dignified worker housing across France.
The site is best explored on foot since the streets are narrow and well-laid out, allowing for a leisurely walk. Visitors can move freely and view the house architecture and gardens from different angles throughout the area.
Since the early 2000s, a modern extension area with contemporary buildings by renowned architects was added to the settlement. These new residences stand in striking contrast to the historic blocks and demonstrate how the original concept has continued to evolve.
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