The UNESCO site of the Casbah in the Master Plan of Algiers (PDAU): between heritage requirements and the need for coordination

  • Mohamed Boukader Institut of Architecture and Urban Planning (I.A.U). University “Saad Dahleb” Blida 1. Algeria.
  • Youcef Chennaoui Professor - Research Director École Polytechnique d’Architecture et d’Urbanisme d’Alger, EPAU Algérie. Lab: Ville, Architecture et Patrimoine EPAU. ALGER
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37558/gec.v21i1.1053
Keywords: Casbah of Algiers, conflicts, development pressures, World Heritage Sites, buffer zone, Heritage

Abstract

This article addresses the question of how to protect those historical, urban sites, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, from the negative impact of stress, caused by the urban dynamic. We put forward the hypothesis that, as part of a holistic vision of protection, safeguard measures must be integrated into the urban development plans for those towns in which these sites are an integral part. This will avoid conflict between the demands of development, and the safeguard measures. Through the example of the UNESCO site of the Casbah, we will examine the strategy of the PDAU of Algiers, to safeguard of the UNESCO site and its reintegration into the Algiers agglomeration. This article adopts a methodology based on a critical, comparative analysis of the strategic heritage plan, as laid down in the PDAU. It examines the proposed safeguarding measures and evaluates its coordination with the safeguarding plan. An examination of the solutions proposed by the PDAU reveals several morphological weaknesses and contradictory prescriptions, favoring a poor connection between the safeguard plan and the PDAU. Consequently, only an integrated approach to urban conservation will reinforce the protection of the site and ensure its reconnection with the Algiers metropolis.

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Author Biographies

Mohamed Boukader, Institut of Architecture and Urban Planning (I.A.U). University “Saad Dahleb” Blida 1. Algeria.

Dr Arch. Mohamed Boukader is an associate professor at the Institute of Architecture and Urbanism (I.A.U). , Department of Built and Urban Cultural Heritage (D.P.A.U), Saad Dahleb University Blida 1. Algeria. He is a research member at the ETAP Laboratory “Environment and Technology for Architecture and Cultural Heritage”, at the same Institute. He was appointed in 2006, as a graduate architect of historical heritage for the Ministry of Culture of Algeria. In 2020, he defended a doctorate in the protection of historic sites at the EPAU of Algiers, on the theme of morphological control in buffer zones around historic sites classified as World Heritage. He is now a member of the teaching team of the Master’s “Architecture and Cultural Heritage” at the Institute of Architecture and Urbanism (I.A.U). “Saad Dahleb” Blida 1 University.

Youcef Chennaoui, Professor - Research Director École Polytechnique d’Architecture et d’Urbanisme d’Alger, EPAU Algérie. Lab: Ville, Architecture et Patrimoine EPAU. ALGER

Prof .Dr Youcef Chennaoui is a full professor at the EPAU (Ecole Polytechnique d’Architecture et d’Urbanisme) of Algiers (Algeria). He is a research director at the LVAP (Laboratoire : Ville – Architecture et Patrimoine) at the EPAU of Algiers.
Prof .Dr Youcef Chennaoui was nominated since 2006, as a qualified architect of historical heritage for the Ministry of Culture of Algeria. Head of “the protective and enhancement plan of the archaeological site of Tipasa (Algeria)” (world heritage). Prof .Dr Youcef Chennaoui is an active member of the UNESCO (Bureau Maghreb). He has published more than 50 papers in a lot of international seminar’s proceedings and international reviews. He has a lot skills and expertise in cutural landscapes, history of architecture, architecture aesthetics, heritage sustainbility and heritage management.

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Published
2022-05-19
How to Cite
Boukader, M., & Chennaoui, Y. (2022). The UNESCO site of the Casbah in the Master Plan of Algiers (PDAU): between heritage requirements and the need for coordination. Ge-Conservacion, 21(1), 205-218. https://doi.org/10.37558/gec.v21i1.1053
Issue
Vol. 21 No. 1 (2022): Ge-conservación Nº21
Section
Artículos
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