Badra Merrad Benyamina is defending her PhD thesis "Space Movements and Mutations in Algiers" in Dijon

The defense will take place at the MSH of Dijon on July 1st at 14h30.

This work was directed by André Larceneux, Emeritus Professor at the University of Borgogne and co-directed by Tahar Baouni, Professor at the Ecole Polytechnique d’Architecture et d’Urbanisme (EPAU-Alger), laboratoire VUDD

Defense jury

Corinne Blanquart, Director of Research at IFSTTAR,Planning, Mobilities and Environment Department

Marie-Hélene Massot, Professor at the University Paris-EST Créteil, LAB’Urba

Thomas Thevenin, Professor at the University of Bourgogne, Laboratoire ThéMA

Abstract

Algiers port and city’s exceptional history is driven by its remarkable site nestled on a rocky spur. Yet this morphology constrained the urban growth of a city that could pretend joigning the ranks of large metropolis .During its history port and city relationship took multiple forms, frequently compatible yet sometimes divergent and even opposed, leading to inversing domination status of both actors. Algiers capital of a 40 million inhabitants state, has always been a laboratory of urban politics since the colonial era to the institutional constructions of independent Algeria, regardless of deficient statistical tools.  However, the space in Algiers is confronted to great challenges due to an anarchic growth of its population, fragmented urban spaces and unbearable motion constraints.  If road and collective transportation infrastructures are growingly programed and achieved by successive plans, their articulation with built-up areas and housing developments with the aim of eradicating slums does not seem to be really coherent.  Furthermore, the location of communal amenities which seem to be relating to real estate opportunities, adds to the complexity of the urban fabric.  However, under this apparent complexity, arise deep urban logics that should be highlighted and modeled.