Évolution du tracé urbain des ksour de la vallée du M'Zab : d'El-Ateuf à Tafilelt, sauvegarde d'un patrimoine millénaire

Abstract

The irregular urban layout of traditional Islamic cities gives the impression of spontaneity and lack of urban logic. Hence, the need to undertake a study to clarify the nature of urban forms and explain the causes of this real or presumed irregularity. The ksour of the M'Zab valley in southern Algeria is a singular case in the study of traditional Islamic cities. The specificity of the natural and historical context has generated cities that are both similar and diverse. The purpose of this study is to reveal the nature of the urban layout and the factors that led to the formation and evolution of ksour. The purpose of using the morphological and syntactic approaches was to shed light on the complexity of the ksour urban tissues. The combination of the two methods made it possible to elucidate the nature of the street layout, the relationships between the ksar components as well as the evolution of the urban structure. Our study also looked at the architectural and urban heritage of the region, which is at the heart of an institutional and social dilemma. The safeguarding policy made it possible to put in value the monuments, such as mosques and marketplaces. Nevertheless, the preservation of ksourian houses remains problematic. The evolution and social dynamics experienced by the M'Zab valley for two decades gave birth to a new approach, it is the community actions designated by the name of new ksour. These, seem like the architectural and urban heir of the ancient ksour