L'urbanisation en Algérie: idées reçues et réalités

Abstract

Altough its very ancient roots, urbanization in Algeria is very recent when considering its extent. Five generally accepted ideas on Algerian urbanization are analysed here. It is thus proved that the fondations of these ideas are not always exact and must be qualified. However, if the growth of urbanization is a phenomenon common to all three countries of the Maghreb, its specific characteries in Algeria are shown by the more unbalanced situation of the towns, more traumatizing than for her Maghreb neighbours. In this way, a favourable ground has been created for the rise of the Islamic movement. It seems that the explanation of this situation lies in the way this urbanization has been carried out.

Rural Housing Programs as a Panacea for Rural Exodus in Algeria, Case of El Khroub’s Municipality

“…As indicated previously, rural development is a priority for Algeria, with the state attempting to progress the Algerian countryside in order to create a balance of rural and urban growth (Bessaoud, 2006;Côte, 1994). As a result of this understanding, the state has initiated a variety of development programs aimed at assisting rural residents in getting housing and thereby promoting their stability in their native communities (Chenoune et al, 2017;Souidi and Bessaoud, 2011).…”

“…Being devoted to permanently resolving rural exodus like the vast majority of countries worldwide (Dustmann and Okatenko, 2014;Côte, 1994;Nelson & Tweeten, 1975), Algeria has upgraded rural areas as natural mediums through the National Agricultural Development Plan in order to stabilize rural populations (Souidi and Bessaoud, 2011;Guillermou,…”

“…Algeria's housing sector, which is an organized sector that the government has sought to develop and promote through the implementation of various housing policies, has undergone a number of reforms resulting in a variety of housing patterns (Ouadah Rebrab, 2012;Côte, 1994), including contributionary, promotional, government-subsidized and privately owned, rent-sale, and public rental in urban areas, among others (Bukhari, 2015;MUCH, 1979). This is because "housing" is commonly acknowledged as a requirement when it comes to a person's basic needs in life, since it reflects the broad framework of economic and social life, as well as the cultural qualities that express a society's identity (Bukhari, 2015).…”

Cities in Algeria, between growing needs for urbanizable land and constraints of spatial development. Case of Beni Saf, a small coastal town in the Tellian Atlas of western Algeria

“…En Algérie, «Le taux d'urbanisation était entre 5 et 8 % de la population algérienne totale lors de la conquête française en 1830, » (Côte, 1994). Ce taux très faible avant la colonisation a augmenté pour passer de 15,6 % en 1886 à 22,53 % en 1936 pour atteindre 25,80 % en 1954 durant la période coloniale.…”

LES VILLAGES SOCIALISTES AGRICOLES AU SERSOU, DANS L’OUEST DE L’ALGéRIE, MODERNISATION RURALE AUX TRAITS URBAINS

“…Algeria, like other countries in this region, is not new to this phenomenon. Indeed, the latter has been the fruit of numerous, successive civilizations, but has been limited, solely, to certain areas of the national territory, However, in the past forty years, an explosion of urbanization disrupted the landscape (environment), individuals' mindsets, and society itself (Côte, 1994). Indeed, the rate of urbanization doubled between 1966 and 2008, from 31.4% to 65.9%.…”