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The Meaning of Headlines: 'castles in the air' - Parisian architecture


'Parisian castles in the air' is the headline of an Opinion article in Politico on May 28, 2015. Written by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, the theme of the article is that the French capital has become a testing ground for new technologies, particularly in urban planning. But what does 'castles in the air' mean?

The online Free Dictionary defines the phrase 'castles in the air' as 'dreams about future success' but also 'plans or hopes that have very little chance of happening.' American singer Don McLean (1945-) composed a song called Castles in the Air in 1970 (and re-recorded it in 1981), and there have also been films of that title.

France, and its capital Paris, are known for their castles. Famous tourist attractions include the Chateau de Versailles and the Chateau de Fontainbleau. These are real castles with long histories, rather than castles in the air.

The author describes Paris as an 'open-air laboratory' adding that the Council of Paris is preparing to make 'crucial decisions that will ensure Paris remains a smart and sustainable city' through its 'innovative approach to urban design.' These innovative designs have included the Haussmann architecture and the metro, as well as new ways of living in urban spaces, such as with the Velib and Autolib introduced to reduce the number of cars in the city. In progress are the Les Halles complex and the new Law Courts project.

The author also includes a quote from Henry David Thoreau - 'If you have built castles in the air, one day, our work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.' Hidalgo concludes with, 'This is what we are doing in Paris, imagining and implementing new possibilities at the human level, laying the foundations for our dreams.'

Hence the author is directly referencing a quote from American writer Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) about castles in the air as dreams, but building foundations to support those dreams.

The Scorecard for the Politico headline: 100% for its excellent use of a quote, the quote's inclusion in the article, and connecting the quote to the historical castles that Paris is famous for. The article title is captivating with its use of imagery that re-imagines history while discussing the future of architecture and urban planning in France's capital. Not only is the headline relevant, but it also reassures readers that past glories will be celebrated while the daring concepts of the future will have the foundation, or basis, for establishing lasting infrastructure that will also capture the hearts of residents and tourists alike.







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