Half-way through the 19th century, Mulhouse was the French Manchester. The quick development there of the textile, mechanical and chemical industry lead to the rapid increase of its population from 3.000 to 30.000 inhabitants between 1800 and 1850. In 1860 the first working-class city was built outside its historic center, designed by the young engineer Émile Muller following an even layout in rows, with the housing units grouped four by four under the same ceiling and located in the middle of landscaped plots. Each family owned approximately 47 square meters, above the average that would be established afterwards for this type of dwelling. The 200 units of the first phase were increased until they reached 1.240 in less than four decades...[+]