Blaise Merand

I’m an urban planner and deputy chief of staff to the mayor of Paris’ 14th district with a goal of living in and working for New York City.

What I’m interested in

I look at everything regarding (in no particular order) the municipal movement, urban studies, low-carbon building, trains, degrowth, mobility, maps, data visualization, and the overall transition towards a fairer distribution of resources, power, culture and ideas.

I mobilize for universally affordable housing, the right to the city, solidarity; against the financialization of real estate, the waste of square meters (and square feets!), the ubiquity of venture capital and all forms of imperialism.

What I do

Most of my work cannot be published, but you’ll find my résumé here and below a chosen sample of what Paris and the 14th have been up to during my tenure.

Things I wrote:

On the new, climate-ready zoning laws Paris has been enforcing since 2025 following a comprehensive public engagement program.

On the 14th district’s new method to redevelop a former hospital into 300 affordable housing units and an innovative public building that is a school, a daycare, a gym and a community center - all at the same time.

On how we’ve been negotiating to turn yet another real estate project into a new public park with affordable housing, a contemporary arts center and much more.

Other things we’ve been working on:

On the revitalization plan of the working-class neighborhood of la Porte de Vanves, including the refurbishment of existing units, new affordable housing for students, a community health center and new businesses.

On the new cultural landmark set to open in 2029 that was designed after the initial developer dropped out, prompting a months-long effort to salvage this important project built on public land.

On the cross-agency work we implemented to protect and evacuate tenants that were being illegally housed in a derelict hotel, violating several safety standards and endangering all its occupants.

Contact me