Traditional Dwelling of M`zab Valley in Alheria: The Point of Adaptation to the Envirement

Abstract

The article deals with the traditional dwellings in the UNESCO World Heritage ancient settlements (ksour) of M’zab Valley in Algerian desert. The Mozabite habitats are reflection of cultural and social values embodied in the architecture, with simple design in their forms deep in their indications, they are organized with a set of principles and rules known as customs that were inspired by religion and adapted to the environment. This latter helped to preserve Mozabite dwellings for more than a millennium. In this article the attention has been drawn to the dwelling’s design and distribution of its spaces according the activities and lifestyle of Mozabite community considering the arid environment needs. Sustainability strategies have significant presence in different levels of the dwelling appearing from the usage of passive techniques which depend on the principles of conservation energy and water, exploiting renewable resources and usage of local materials. These techniques are what make dwellings integrate completely within arid climate.