Type of territory

M'Zab valley is a universal heritage, classified by UNESCO (1982), with its ksourien planning (pyramid shape) and its Oasis hardly formed in an arid environment. Since about two decades Algeria has a deep housing crisis across the country, due to population growth. Moreover, the Mzab is a region in southern Algeria which has a Muslim population practicing Ibadi sect in general. One that refers strictly to the holy book, the Qur'an, and the Sunnah, as is also characterized as much by the tolerant appearance dictated by God by solidarity between people. Add to this a number of social practices by Ibadites Mzab and social organization of pyramidal type that fall under all of the precepts of Islam. Thus, a set of families (different surnames) gathers in a large family, "Achira". They find themselves in a "Arch" and within the religious structure, known as "El Halquat Azaba" that guide spiritually, directs and advises socially.

Climate zone

[BWk] Mid-latitude Dry Arid (Desert)

Green areas, roofs included

Green areas, roofs included : 50 000 m²

Public spaces area

Public spaces area : 20 000 m²

Office floor area

Office floor area : 1 100 m²

Commercial floor area

Commercial floor area : 10 135 m²

Public facilities floor area

Public facilities floor area : 5 000 m²

Housing floor area

Housing floor area : 175 000 m²

Number of residential units

Number of residential units : 1 050

Number of social housing units

Number of social housing units : 1 050

Green spaces /inhabitant

Public spaces/inhabitant

Total investment costs (before tax)

Total investment costs (before tax) : 49 000 000 € HT

Total of subsidies

Total of subsidies : 5 000 000 € HT

Project holder

Name : Amidoul foundation

Type : Private company

General description :

a group of intellectuals, architects and scientists from the Ksar ( "castle" in Arabic) of Beni Isguen, came together and created the Amidoul Foundation to fight against the crisis of local housing. At that time, thousands of people living in slums scattered around the valley Mzab because there were too few houses, which cost often a lot. While the government launched an unprecedented housing program, using the revenue generated by the oil to build dormitory towns around the country, the Amidoul Foundation purchased a rocky hill in order to turn it into a friendly city the environment, providing housing for low-income people.

Project management

Description :

​The support elements for the mastery of the project:

Mastering the project size and complexity requires a deep analysis of current practices on construction sites, and a different approach, which is based on seven components namely:

● Work series (≠ monotony)> studied standardization of construction elements (structural module, carpentry, design spaces ..)

● Optimal use of local materials (stone / plaster / lime ....)

● Rationality in managing human and financial resources

- Rotation of the work teams /

- Bulk purchasing, distributed loads, production equipment rental ...

- Increase joint ownership and common elements.

● Introduction of subordinate workshops:

U. plaster / wood joinery U. / U. metalwork / U. beams / U. hollow body.

● continuous motivation of the human frame by:

- bonuses .

- The diverse qualification.

- Participation in the decisions of the site.

● active and harmonious coordination of the social action and that of construction.

● Continuous improvement of construction processes, As well as housing design

Project stakeholders

Amidoul Foundation

Function  : Other

FONDATION AMIDOUL – KSAR TAFILELT TAJDIT Dr. NOUH AHMED – Le Président BP 47 CEDEX 11, BENI-ISGUEN GHARDAIA 47131 ALGÉRIE. E-mail: [email protected] Tél:+213(0)29873079 – Fax:+213(0)29873083

Construction21 company page :

SOLUTIONS

• Urban project governance
• Citizen participation

Company :

Net density

Culture and heritage

Facing the national crisis in architecture and urban planning, a peculiar experience in Mzab Valley deserves to be studied, it is a new city, called the Ksar Tafilelt, conducted south of Beni -Isguen. Its initiators, gathered around a non-profit association "Amidoul" relied for the success of the project on the development of the heritage material and immaterial heritage of ancient ksour Mzab alongside research on the bioclimatic architecture, while adapting to the conveniences of modern life. Tafilelt of designers and process the reinterpretation of urban and architectural principles of traditional houses Mozabites given real meaning to the concept of cooperation and mutual assistance through the touiza, redefining the know-how and the reinterpretation of symbolic elements the ancient ksour, by involving the traditional social institutions. Tafilelt thus a new city which is in a social context, ecological and economic heritage, worthy of the current sustainable development values

Social diversity 

The new Ksar complies with the requirements of sustainable development and is a fine example of bioclimatic building, assimilating educational architecture and ecological principles, with the objective of responding to a request of young people and contribute to the fight against the housing crisis, supported , for his part, Moussa Amara, engineer Amidoul member of the foundation. This new urban center, built with local materials, has incorporated the standards of responsible water management, wastewater recycling and recovery of household waste through the appropriate channels, he said. For its flexibility and humanistic approach, the experience can be generalized Tafilelt, provided there is good will, the spirit of sacrifice and volunteerism, believe the responsible Amidoul foundation. The Ksar is in an environmental sense and sustainable development, creating a balance between man and his environment and in order to live better by drawing on some traditional customs that allowed oasis in general and especially those of Mzab to survive in a hostile and harsh environment, they said. Launched in 1997, this new Ksar, which extends on a rocky site of an area of ​​22 hectares, has 1050 homes and is designed for a better quality of life, based on the conscious interpretation of ancient architectural heritage and preservation of the environment.  

SOLUTIONS

• Promotion of cultural/ historical identity
• Urban densification
• Proximity services
• Security
• Air quality
• Noise exposure

% of public spaces

% of commercial area

SOLUTIONS

• Circular economy

SOLUTIONS

• Collaborative transportation
• Parking management

Water management

A natural wastewater recovery station was completed, water is destined to water the surrounding orchards

Waste management

Recovery and recycling of waste. recovery of palm wood for millwork. Selective sorting at source

SOLUTIONS

Wooden door of recycled palm

Description :

• Water management
• Soil management
• Waste management
• Citizen-awareness

• Water management
• Soil management
• Waste management
• Citizen-awareness

Biodiversity and natural areas

functional Zoo Location: Kasr Device Tafilelt Tajdit, Beni Isguen, Ghardaia Project idea: Create a park in the rocky area of intoxicating Ksar Tafilelt. ● leisure component: Creation of green spaces for families and different social strata (Green area, Extended water). ● Climatic and ecological component: Creation of ecological reflex. (Training Centre, workshops). ● In economic terms: Rationalize expenditure of urban planning. (Treatment plant wastewater, Solar Station). ● Scientific Component: Introduction of special scientific practices to the desert area. (Conference Room, Science Lab). ● cultural component: Bring citizens to reflect on their ecological environment. (Zoo animal and plant species in desert areas).

SOLUTIONS

• Management of natural areas
• Environmental charter

SOLUTIONS

• Climate adaptation
• Renewable energies
• Urban Lighting
• Low-carbon materials/ infrastructure

Link to Buildings of the area in Construction21 database

Link to Buildings of the area in Construction21 database :