Urban Development, Heritage Preservation, and Stakeholder Dynamics in the M’Zab Valley: A Strategic Analysis Using the MACTOR Tool

A strategic analysis of the UNESCO World Heritage site M'Zab Valley, Algeria, reveals significant governance challenges that hinder effective heritage preservation amid urban development pressures. The study identifies a prioritization gap where institutional stakeholders favor urban expansion over cultural conservation, exacerbated by poor coordination and weak legal frameworks. Using a mixed-methods approach—including documentary analysis, stakeholder interviews, and the MACTOR tool—the research demonstrates that underdeveloped co-governance mechanisms and limited technical capacity further complicate sustainable heritage management. Key recommendations focus on integrating diverse stakeholders, strengthening sectoral policy alignment, fostering participatory decision-making, and upgrading legal and technical instruments to address contemporary sustainability challenges. These insights offer a global model for balancing development and preservation in culturally significant urban contexts.

Ferhati, R., Boukader, M., Messaoudene, M., & Madani, S. (2024). Urban Development, Heritage Preservation, and Stakeholder Dynamics in the M’Zab Valley: A Strategic Analysis Using the MACTOR Tool. Italian Journal of Planning Practice, 14(01), 95. https://doi.org/10.66428/ijppv14i01a004