Georges-Eugène Haussmann, commonly known as Baron Haussmann (French pronunciation: ​[ʒɔʁʒ øʒɛn (ba.ʁɔ̃) os.man], 27 March 1809 – 11 January 1891), was the Prefect of the Seine Department in France, who was chosen by the Emperor Napoleon III to carry out a massive program of new boulevards, parks and public works in Paris, commonly called Haussmann's renovation of Paris. Critics forced his resignation for extravagance, but his vision of the city still dominates Central Paris.