Resilient forms of urbanity on the margins?

A dynamic informal market in the Kherba district of Tunis's medina has transformed perceptions of urban degradation, illustrating complex long-term dynamics that challenge traditional preservation efforts. This study reveals how spontaneous reappropriation of abandoned spaces can reshape neighbourhood identity while posing risks to the medina's structural integrity. By combining archival research and field interviews, it traces the historical roots of marginalization—dating back to Ottoman and colonial eras—and links them to contemporary heritage conservation challenges. The findings highlight a paradox: informal urban reuse revitalizes neglected areas but may ultimately undermine the very fabric of protected sites like the medina of Tunis.

Lafi, N. (2017). Resilient forms of urbanity on the margins? Understanding the City through Its Margins, 45–62. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315171715-4