this thesis investigates, whether or not, and to what degree architecture effects the urban and social segregation of suburbs which are built primarily to house industrial labor in times of economic growth. the city of clichy-sous-bois, which became well known because of its riots in 2005 was the particular focus of this study. the work informs the reader about the historical background of clichy and its dedicated french metropolis paris. it gives background information about the riots of 2005 and today's situation of the banlieue. then, the thesis follows some general examples about the "haussmannisation" of paris and gives a short insight in the statistical coherences of crime and urbanism. after that, it takes a quick look at special housing examples in east-germany and vienna. it concludes with a summary and comparison of researched information and a possible proposal to improve the conditions in clichy-sous-bois.