Al-Madīnah or la ville? An architectural & urban “clash of civilizations” – the example of the city of Algiers

Algiers, the capital of Algeria, embodies a unique architectural and urban coexistence shaped by two dominant historical periods: Muslim rule since the 15th century and French colonialism from 1830 to 1962. This dual heritage manifests in the city's landscape as a blend of the traditional Arab Casbah, reminiscent of Middle Eastern cities like Istanbul or Cairo, and modern French-inspired urban structures akin to Paris or Marseille. The study highlights how these contrasting architectural traditions coexist harmoniously, contributing to Algiers' cosmopolitan identity. However, this delicate balance faces threats from rapid rural-to-urban migration, which has led to the proliferation of slums (bidonvilles), potentially disrupting the city's unique urban fabric.

Kobis, R. (2018). al-Madīnah or la ville? An architectural & urban “clash of civilizations” – the example of the city of Algiers. Urban Development Issues, 54(2), 27–34. https://doi.org/10.1515/udi-2017-0009