Urban and Environmental Quality of Subdivisions: A Case of Bechar city, Algeria

Abstract

Like any developing country, which is witnessing an exponential demographic expansion, Algeria has experienced an unsustainable housing crisis, for which subdivisions are a suitable response to the growing demand for building land. However, the intensive production effort of the housing estates has not often yielded the expected results, since this quantitative expansion, which is often unfinished, shows poor quality. However, a fairly large number of actors intervene to varying degrees, without improving the overall quality of the product. Whereas the subdivision is not just an inert urban form, conceived as a parcel division, it is rather a means of urban development that must meet the quality requirements of the living environment. In Bechar, south of Algeria, precisely, the successive production of housing estates gives today a depreciated image, reflecting an unfinished building site. This article looks for ways to improve the quality of life in these living spaces, defining the strategic principles that can promote the urban and environmental quality of subdivisions and the role of the different actors in terms of quality: from process to product. To evaluate the subdivision and promote its quality, we will adopt a site analysis grid, which will allow us to physically analyze the subdivisions, identify strengths and weaknesses with the ultimate goal of controlling impacts on the external environment, and then define strategies for a more satisfactory indoor environment than the existing one.

Residential subdivisions, what potential for quality production?: Case of the city of Bechar, Algeria Abstract

“…Various researches take into consideration this mode of urbanization, accepting its growing share in the production of urbanized space trying to give it design, urban and environmental qualities. Masboungi (2008) depicted in his book (Making town with the subdivisions) the work of General Direction of Urbanism, the Housing and Construction (DGUHC, France) developed at the 32nd Urban Project Workshop (of 30 May 2006). That said, subdivisions as an intrinsic operation to urban planning, rather deliver productions that ultimately manifest an architectural and urban mediocrity, even environmental, subsequently encouraging fragmentation And yet various approaches are taken into consideration in this mode of urbanization to accept its growing share in the production of urbanised space.…”

“…The quality of life in the city, depending on physical, economic, social and environmental factors, would be assessed objectively and on the contrary subjectively, if it depends on the perceptions and aspirations of the inhabitants (Messafri et al, 2021). It is therefore apprehended according to the subjective and relative dimension (Dind, 2009).…”