Médiathèque Grand-Plage, ancien centre culturel Le Forum

In the early twentieth century, Roubaix emerged as a significant industrial hub, particularly in textiles, mirroring many northern cities. This period of economic growth left the city with a unique urban fabric characterized by rapid, yet irrational development, resulting in a densely populated and often unhealthy living environment. The city is marked by "courées," which are small, attached houses that are low in density but poorly ventilated and frequently historic. This industrial heritage has contributed to a rich and diverse architectural legacy that reflects the city's socioeconomic history, particularly after the post-war economic boom known as the Trente Glorieuses.