Roubaix is a city located in northern France within the Nord department. It is situated in the Lille metropolitan area on the Belgian border, positioned to the northeast of Lille and adjacent to Tourcoing. The city serves as the chef-lieu of two cantons and ranks as the fourth largest city in the Hauts-de-France region by population, with approximately 98,000 inhabitants.
Historically, Roubaix was a mono-industrial commune that experienced rapid growth during the 19th century driven by its textile industries. The city's development shared many characteristics with English and American boom towns of that era. However, since the major industries declined by the middle of the 1970s, the city has faced significant challenges related to deindustrialization, including urban decay and associated economic and social implications.