Military Considerations and Colonial Town Planning: France and New France in the Seventeenth Century

Power and Social Control in Settler and Exploitation Colonies: The Experience of New France and French Colonial Africa

“…Like the French, these powers were seeking opportunities to aggrandize their own politico-economic power. The most disruptive opposition came, however, from members of the native population who were well-known for their guerilla-style attacks on French installations (Njoh, 2016; Stelter, 1993). France’s efforts to subdue members of this population were notoriously brutal and resulted in the near-annihilation of the region’s native population.…”

“…These structures, especially those with avowed military aims such as forts, military barracks and fortification walls, adhered strictly to the military defense principles of Sebastien Le Prestre, Seigneur de Vauban (1633–1707) (Ferley, 1996; Stelter, 1993). This latter is best remembered as the architect of the civil engineering military defense system for France under King Louis XIV.…”

“…However, the specific variant of the pattern adopted by Casson was of later vintage. The roots of this version are traceable to 13th/14th century France, where it was used in the urban plans for the southern part of the country (Stanislawski, 1946; Stelter, 1993).…”

“…In New France, the grid system was designed to reinforce France’s economic power. In this connection, the grid plan is believed to promote the economically efficient use of land in particular and space in general (Stanislawski, 1946; Stelter, 1993). In Africa, the same street configuration was meant to reinforce French colonial military power, particularly the ability to control the colonized subjects/territories.…”