The contribution of inhabitants to the development of public spaces in eastern Algeria, Constantine

Abstract

The creation of public spaces in response to the extensive construction of new urban residential areas is a subject of discussion within the international community. Algeria suffers from degraded areas and a lack of clarity regarding the ownership and use of these zones. To address this issue, the State has launched urban improvement projects. In some cases, the residents are the ones who initiate these improvements. However, it has been observed that many of these improvements either do not last or are purposefully rejected by residents. This situation raises several concerns: Why are residents opposed to these improvements? Why are the improvements initiated and funded by residents deteriorating as well? This study examines the strategies used to implement urban improvements in Ain Smara (Constantine). It also assesses the population’s impact on the success or failure of these initiatives. As a research hypothesis, it appears that the main causes of this situation are a lack of involvement of residents in the early stages of the project (lack of information, shared diagnosis) and supervision. The goal is to emphasise the importance of residents’ roles and to try to identify some mechanisms for effectively involving them. The method employed is a hybrid approach, with on-site surveys and observations serving as the primary data collection tools. The study’s findings emphasise that a lack of information and a lack of resident involvement are factors that contribute to the unsustainable nature of development initiatives. The success of such projects depends on the efforts of all stakeholders, and residents must be kept as informed and involved as possible before and after the project is launched. An examination of local participation experiences allows us to identify mechanisms tailored to the Algerian context that can aid in the effective implementation of true participation.