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Restoration of the Casbah of Algiers

Algiers, Algeria

2012 - Ongoing

Cultural HeritageHistoric CityPost-disaster RecoveryTouristic

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Project Description

Approach Words: City Identity, Heritage Preservation, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Organization, Physical Intervention, Planning

The Casbah of Algiers, often referred to as the Casbah or Kasbah (meaning walled citadel), is a historic ‘medina’, or Islamic city, located in Algiera, the capital city of Algeria¹. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, the Casbah is considered ‘an outstanding example of a historic Maghreb city’² and an important part of Algerian heritage³. Extending over an area of 1.05 square kilometer, on a hill overlooking the capital, and housing nearly 50 thousand people within its Ottoman-era walls⁴, the Casbah has long faced deterioration due to factors such as earthquakes, floods, fires, and neglect⁵.

Title: Map of the Casbah of Algiers.

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Title: View from Casbah of Algiers in 2007.

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Title: Restored building Palais des Raïs in the Casbah.

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Title: Renovation of a building in the Casbah.

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Title: Map of the Casbah of Algiers.

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Title: View from Casbah of Algiers in 2007.

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Title: Restored building Palais des Raïs in the Casbah.

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Title: Renovation of a building in the Casbah.

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Initial works to restore the Casbah began right after Algeria’s independence in 1962, with efforts intensifying over the years⁶. The most recent project for the restoration of the Casbah was launched in 2012, aiming to restore ‘the authentic appearance of the Kasbah and proposing final solutions to protect this historical and cultural center and keep part of its population in their homes’⁷ ⁱ.

Owner/Developer (Public)

Directorate of Public Works of the Wilaya of Algiers ¹⁴

Consultant/Designer

Directorate of Public Works of the Wilaya of Algiers

Agence Ali Pacha Mehdi ¹⁵

Bureau D’etudes Pluridisciplinaires, scp Archimed ¹⁶

Funder

Wilaya of Algiers ¹⁷

Contractor/Implementer

Directorate of Public Works of the Wilaya of Algiers

Agence Ali Pacha Mehdi ¹⁸

Owner/Developer (Public)

Directorate of Public Works of the Wilaya of Algiers ¹⁴

Contractor/Implementer

Directorate of Public Works of the Wilaya of Algiers

Agence Ali Pacha Mehdi ¹⁸

Funder

Wilaya of Algiers ¹⁷

Consultant/Designer

Directorate of Public Works of the Wilaya of Algiers

Agence Ali Pacha Mehdi ¹⁵

Bureau D’etudes Pluridisciplinaires, scp Archimed ¹⁶

This restoration endeavor is led by the Directorate of Public Works of the Wilaya of Algiers with a budget exceeding $170 million⁸ ⁱⁱ, and follows extensive studies, in collaboration with the local firm Agence Ali Pacha Mehdi ⁹. The project is currently under implementation in two main phases:

Phase 1 [2018-2021]: This phase involves 11 buildings including historical and religious landmarks, as well as residential buildings. These include the Bey’s Palace, Dey’s Palace, Dar El Baroud, Jama’a Mosque, Hassan Pasha House, etc. The project also includes the preparation of three major canals for wastewater drainage in three streets, and backfilling low-voltage electrical cables underground¹⁰. Moreover, the Ketchaoua mosque within the Casbah, which was damaged in a 2003 earthquake, was restored and reopened in 2018 with funding from the Turkish government¹¹.
Phase 2 [2021- ongoing]: It involves 33 buildings, including 5 mosques¹².

The project has faced challenges, including the fragility and decay of the buildings, as well as some legal issues related to property ownership¹³ ⁱⁱⁱ.

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

N.A.

Endnotes

i Before the launch of the restoration plan, there have been efforts to shore up over 300 buildings between 2008 and 2013, addressing immediate risks of collapse. Some buildings have been emptied and walled up by the town hall due to safety concerns. More information is available in this link: https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3750316/renovate-casbah-efforts-speed-restore-historic-algiers-district (accessed on 4 December 2023).
ii This is based on the decision to transfer the Casbah from the guardianship of the Ministry of Culture to the Wilayah of Algiers in 2016, and in line with the draft plan to safeguard and develop the protected sector (PPSMVSS). More information is available in the links : https://www.aps.dz/ar/culture/121743-65ct and https://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/565/s (accessed on 4 December 2023).
iii For example, in 2018, there was controversy over entrusting a development plan to French architect Jean Nouvel, which was eventually abandoned xix

References

Kasbah of Algiers. (n.d.). UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/565/>
Kasbah of Algiers. (n.d.). UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/565/>
Renovate the casbah: Efforts speed up to restore historic Algiers District. (2022). France 24. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220710-renovate-the-casbah-efforts-speed-up-to-restore-historic-algiers-district>
Kasbah of Algiers. (n.d.). UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/565/>
Renovate the casbah: Efforts speed up to restore historic Algiers District. (2022). France 24. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220710-renovate-the-casbah-efforts-speed-up-to-restore-historic-algiers-district>
Fabiani, R. (2021). Algeria: The Restoration Project of the Casbah of Algiers. Med. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.med-or.org/en/news/algeria-il-progetto-di-restauro-della-casbah-di-algeri>
Fabiani, R. (2021). Algeria: The Restoration Project of the Casbah of Algiers. Med. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.med-or.org/en/news/algeria-il-progetto-di-restauro-della-casbah-di-algeri>
(N.d.). قصبة الجزائر: ترميم بنسبة 65 بالمائة على مستوى سبعة قصور ومعالم تاريخية. Algérie Presse Service. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.aps.dz/ar/culture/121743-65>
(N.d.). قصبة الجزائر: ترميم بنسبة 65 بالمائة على مستوى سبعة قصور ومعالم تاريخية. Algérie Presse Service. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.aps.dz/ar/culture/121743-65>
(N.d.). قصبة الجزائر: ترميم بنسبة 65 بالمائة على مستوى سبعة قصور ومعالم تاريخية. Algérie Presse Service. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.aps.dz/ar/culture/121743-65>
Renovate the casbah: Efforts speed up to restore historic Algiers District. (2022). France 24. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220710-renovate-the-casbah-efforts-speed-up-to-restore-historic-algiers-district>
(N.d.). قصبة الجزائر: ترميم بنسبة 65 بالمائة على مستوى سبعة قصور ومعالم تاريخية. Algérie Presse Service. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.aps.dz/ar/culture/121743-65>
Renovate the casbah: Efforts speed up to restore historic Algiers District. (2022). France 24. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220710-renovate-the-casbah-efforts-speed-up-to-restore-historic-algiers-district>
(N.d.). قصبة الجزائر: ترميم بنسبة 65 بالمائة على مستوى سبعة قصور ومعالم تاريخية. Algérie Presse Service. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.aps.dz/ar/culture/121743-65>
Renovate the casbah: Efforts speed up to restore historic Algiers District. (2022). France 24. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220710-renovate-the-casbah-efforts-speed-up-to-restore-historic-algiers-district>
Renovate the casbah: Efforts speed up to restore historic Algiers District. (2022). France 24. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220710-renovate-the-casbah-efforts-speed-up-to-restore-historic-algiers-district>
(N.d.). قصبة الجزائر: ترميم بنسبة 65 بالمائة على مستوى سبعة قصور ومعالم تاريخية. Algérie Presse Service. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.aps.dz/ar/culture/121743-65>
(N.d.). قصبة الجزائر: ترميم بنسبة 65 بالمائة على مستوى سبعة قصور ومعالم تاريخية. Algérie Presse Service. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.aps.dz/ar/culture/121743-65>
Renovate the casbah: Efforts speed up to restore historic Algiers District. (2022). France 24. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220710-renovate-the-casbah-efforts-speed-up-to-restore-historic-algiers-district>