Analysis of urban multifunctional land use in historical centres: the case of the Casbah of Algiers

A new GIS-based analysis reveals that the Algiers Casbah's Ottoman-era urban fabric embodies multifunctional land use (MLU) principles, demonstrating how traditional cities can achieve sustainability through mixed-density housing and diverse facilities. Unlike modern 'new urbanism' approaches, this study shows MLU emerged organically in historic centres, fostering socially vibrant areas while conserving environmental resources. The research digitised the Casbah's spatial data to quantify its multifunctionality, offering insights into how heritage sites can balance development with ecological and social resilience.

Souidi, M. (2025). Analysis of urban multifunctional land use in historical centres: the case of the Casbah of Algiers. Built Heritage, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43238-025-00212-0