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Reviving the Urban Heritage of the Algerian Sahara: Restoration and Sustainability of Earthen Architecture in Ksar Khanguet Sidi Nadji as a Case Study

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Abstract

Earthen architecture, an enduring legacy of human ingenuity, has historically served as a source of durable and sustainable shelter across civilizations. Despite this significance, several of the world’s earthen architectural sites are now facing abandonment and obsolescence, as is the case of Ksar Khanguet Sidi Nadji in the Algerian Sahara. To address this critical situation, we propose a sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution for the restoration of the urban fabric of the Ksar that takes into account the needs of its residents and its heritage value. Our approach utilizes the anastylosis method which implies that we reuse original on-site components as building materials whenever possible. We introduce new materials only when necessary, after subjecting them to rigorous testing and control. Additionally, we take into account the complex challenges of human, natural, and technical factors involved in the restoration process, offering a practical solution to restore and preserve the earthen heritage of the Ksar while benefiting its residents.

Résumé

L’architecture en terre, héritage durable de l’ingéniosité humaine, a historiquement servi de source d’abri durable et viable à travers les civilisations. En dépit de cette importance, plusieurs sites architecturaux en terre dans le monde font désormais face à l’abandon et à l’obsolescence, comme c’est le cas de Ksar Khanguet Sidi Nadji dans le Sahara algérien. Pour répondre à cette situation critique, nous proposons une solution durable, respectueuse de l’environnement et économique pour la restauration du tissu urbain du Ksar, en tenant compte des besoins de ses habitants et de sa valeur patrimoniale. Notre approche utilise la méthode d’anastylose, ce qui signifie que nous réutilisons autant que possible les composants originaux sur place comme matériaux de construction. Nous introduisons de nouveaux matériaux uniquement lorsque cela est nécessaire, après les avoir soumis à des tests et à un contrôle rigoueu. De plus, nous tenons compte des défis complexes liés aux facteurs humains, naturels et techniques impliqués dans le processus de restauration, offrant ainsi une solution pratique pour restaurer et préserver l’héritage en terre du Ksar tout en profitant à ses habitants.

Resumen

La arquitectura de tierra, un legado perdurable del ingenio humano, ha servido históricamente como fuente de refugio duradero y sostenible para todas las civilizaciones. A pesar de esta importancia, varios de los sitios arquitectónicos de tierra del mundo se enfrentan ahora al abandono y la obsolescencia, como es el caso de Ksar Khanguet Sidi Nadji en el Sáhara argelino. Para abordar esta situación crítica, proponemos una solución sostenible, ecológica y rentable para la restauración del tejido urbano del Ksar que tenga en cuenta las necesidades de sus residentes y su valor patrimonial. Nuestro enfoque utiliza el método de anastilosis, lo que implica que reutilizamos los componentes originales en el sitio como materiales de construcción siempre que sea posible. Introducimos nuevos materiales sólo cuando es necesario, después de someterlos a rigurosos ensayos y controles. Además, tenemos en cuenta los complejos desafíos de los factores humanos, naturales y técnicos involucrados en el proceso de restauración, ofreciendo una solución práctica para restaurar y preservar el patrimonio terrestre del Ksar mientras beneficiamos a sus residentes.

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Notes

  1. Plural form of ksar.

  2. A person who resides or is native to Khanguet Sidi Nadji is often referred to locally as khangui.

  3. In French: Centre de recherche en architecture de terre.

  4. In Algeria, provinces are referred to as wilayas.

  5. An Islamic community center devoted to prayer, retreat, education, and service. Zawiyas are notably prevalent in North Africa and West Africa.

  6. A high-ranking Ottoman title, signifying both military and civil authority, used by the rulers of Algiers, Tripoli, and Tunis during their period under Ottoman rule.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the editors of this journal for their rigorous process and the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions, which greatly contributed to the improvement of the quality of this article. Imen Zaghez would like to express sincere gratitude to Sara Zaghez and Slimane Benloucif for their invaluable feedback on earlier drafts of this article, which played a pivotal role in its development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Doctoral School No 224 Cognition, Language, and Interaction, Université Paris 8 Vincennes Saint-Denis, 2 rue de la Liberté, 93526, Saint-Denis Cedex, France

    Imen Zaghez

  2. Department of Architecture, Badji Mokhtar Annaba University, BP 12, 23000, Annaba, Algeria

    Imen Zaghez & Redha Attoui

  3. Department of Art History and Archaeology, Université Paris Nanterre, 200 Avenue de la République, 92000, Nanterre, France

    Bernadette Nadia Saou-Dufrêne

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  1. Imen Zaghez
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  2. Redha Attoui
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  3. Bernadette Nadia Saou-Dufrêne
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IZ: conceptualization, methodology, and writing. RA: supervision. BNS-D: supervision.

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Correspondence to Imen Zaghez.

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Zaghez, I., Attoui, R. & Saou-Dufrêne, B.N. Reviving the Urban Heritage of the Algerian Sahara: Restoration and Sustainability of Earthen Architecture in Ksar Khanguet Sidi Nadji as a Case Study. Arch (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11759-024-09501-z

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