PEROU EMBASSY – BEING HERE

Outside Paris, in Ris-Orangis and later in Grigny, inspired by the acts of families that transform vacant lots into shelters, the association PEROU pursued the theory that is better to build than to tear down when seeking to address the health, social and political issues stemming from such situations. PEROU brought together architects, artists and researchers, as well as a number of local residents who had previously kept their distance from these controversial situations. The participants built an embassy, a community centre, a chapel, dry toilets, compost bins, a bathroom unit with showers and washing basins, a workers’ residence, a cinema, and flowerbeds. Work was done on the ground to remove the waste, mud and rats, as wells to provide drainage for rainwater. The outer walls of the shacks were equipped with aeration systems and fire extinguishers. The association also reached out to the public, holding multiple events and gaining the support of many local actors. This paved the way for a new round of negotiations, which in turn led to the first social integration project in the Essonne region. In addition, the initiative produced or jointly produced three websites, three films presented at a host of festivals, a book co-written by some 30 authors, 40 CVs for the adults, a picture book for the children, and a 500-page research report delivered to the public authorities. 

The 24-month project, which cost €155,626, enabled 70 of the 140 people encountered in Ris-Orangis in October 2012 to become housing tenants. Meanwhile, the local authorities in Ris-Orangis and Grigny proceeded to carry out two evictions, the first in April 2013 and the second in August 2014. This pointless exercise in destruction cost the local authorities approximately €600,000.