Who was the director of the vast reconstruction of Paris?

Baron Haussmann was the director responsible for the extensive reconstruction of Paris in the mid-19th century. Appointed by Emperor Napoleon III, Haussmann implemented a sweeping transformation of the city that aimed to improve urban sanitation, traffic flow, and living conditions. His vision introduced wide boulevards, public parks, and a cohesive architectural style that significantly altered the city’s layout and aesthetic.

The urban planning strategies developed during this period included the demolition of overcrowded medieval neighborhoods, which provided space for the construction of new buildings and infrastructures, such as the iconic Parisian boulevards and major urban parks like the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Haussmann's work is often cited as a significant influence on modern urban planning and set a precedent for the development of cities worldwide.

In contrast, the other individuals mentioned were influential in their own contexts—Daniel Burnham was known for his contributions to American city planning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Oscar Niemeyer was a key figure in modernist architecture and the design of Brasília, and Le Corbusier made substantial impacts on urban design and architecture in the 20th century but did not have a direct role in the reconstruction of Paris like Haussmann did