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Why did Haussmann build wide boulevards through older Paris neighborhoods?

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Portrait of Napoleon III in a dark military uniform with gold epaulettes, a red sash, and medals, set against a deep red background. Painted by Hippolyte Flandrin. — Napoleon III Napoleon III, detail of a portrait by Hippolyte Flandrin, 1862; in the Versailles Museum.

Under the direction of Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann undertook a massive program of public works to modernize the city. The decision to cut wide, straight boulevards through older, congested neighborhoods served three primary purposes:

Economic: The new layout promoted industrialization by allowing for the efficient transport of goods and services across the city, while also connecting major train terminals.1
Aesthetic and Sanitary: The project aimed to impose a sense of unifying order on the city, opening up space to increase natural light and improving water supply and drainage systems to eliminate foul odors.1
Military: The boulevards were designed to eliminate the narrow, constricted streets where rebel barricades could easily be erected, thereby enhancing the government's ability to maintain control.1

These changes transformed Paris from its ancient, chaotic character into the modern city that largely persists today.12