La première cité expérimentale sera-t-elle édifiée au Brésil ?

Rare first edition of this lecture delivered at the Cercle de France in Paris on January 8, 1958, no copy referenced in Worldcat. Light foxing to the front board.

Rare utopian pamphlet celebrating the creation of Brasilia and laying the theoretical foundations for the cities of the future. Inscribed and signed by Robert Miocque to his friend Marcel Dollfus at the top of the first page of text.

Born in 1897 in Calvados, Miocque was a furniture engineering technician and author of a work entitled "Progrès et prospérité" published in 1937. He regularly contributed to the anti-Nazi magazine Marianne, where he covered economic issues.

This pamphlet proposes to mitigate the drawbacks of urban planning by the creation of experimental cities designed to ensure the full development of human beings and to implement economic theories. The text was a speech delivered in 1958, two years before the inauguration of Brasilia:

"There is no doubt that next year, the entire world will be watching this big project in progress. Let us wish every success to our very deserving brazilian friends in their courageous endeavour" (p. 14). 

Miocque demonstrates over several pages that Brazil is the ideal land for innovation and progress. The founding of its Republic according to the positivist principles of Auguste Comte makes it the crucible for experimental cities, whose founding principles Miocque develops in this pamphlet. He proposes creating the first examples of these new urban centers in the Brazilian region of Ubatuba. The pamphlet concludes with an excerpt of 6 major principles drawn from his doctrine of experimental cities in 90 points, which he would publish in Brazil in Portuguese (São Paulo, Editions Anhambi, 1960).

A valuable essay by a utopian engineer, enamored of Brazil, aspiring to the creation of cities oriented toward progress and prosperity.