Everyday state of emergency. The influence of French counterterroristsecurity measures on public spaces in Paris

Abstract

This work investigates the influence of counterterrorist measures on public spaces in Paris. It starts with a theoretical background on securitisation and militarisation in urban spaces and highlighting historic events in the French context related to the topic. Then, the work focuses on two major security tools of the French counterterrorist apparatus: a) the Vigipirate plan – the main national permanent counterterrorist security plan –; and b) the state of emergency – a legal tool that gives extra power to the executive branch and police forces, put into force since the November 2015 attacks in the Île-de-France region. Observing the process of decision and implementation of these measures, a list of involved actors is identified, which gives bases to understand the application of security measures in the physical spaces of the city. The observation of 47 sites in the metropolitan area of Paris lead to the identification of 26 security elements playing different roles to the counterterrorist security. These different manifestations of the security framework are seen in depth in three spaces of Paris: Forum des Halles, Gare du Nord and Place de la République. A highly frequented commercial centre, the Europe’s largest railway station and one of the most social and political representative square of the city reveal to what extend the counterterrorist measures affect the everyday life in Paris. They also serve as a fundament to question the French counterterrorist security apparatus and its potential uses beyond the combat against terrorism.