Improving Urban Living in the City of Constantine, Algeria: Reality and Perspectives

Abstract

The issue of urban planning is significant in organising the urban and environmental landscape of Algerian cities, given its crucial importance in defining the residents’ daily living patterns and preserving the environment in which they live, as well as its role in achieving sustainable development. Discussions among professionals have varied on the preservation of the old urban form versus the modern approach. In this context, the move towards a modernisation plan for Constantine has emerged as a new strategy to modernise the city and improve the quality of urban life. This initiative has significant dimensions for urban projects, encompassing various areas through large-scale projects. However, despite the importance of this plan and its efforts to modernise the city and make it more in line with global cities, it has not achieved its desired objectives.  This research paper aims to explore future perspectives and directions that aim to create a unified and harmonious urban form that works to improve the quality of life of the city in its entirety, ensuring sustainable development and good governance. It aims to achieve a balance between its urban areas by trying to choose a new strategy that includes several future dimensions. In order to achieve this goal, a descriptive-analytical methodology was used, in addition to fieldwork through urban surveys, as well as relying on field statistics derived from data and documents obtained from various departments, administrations and consulting offices, to obtain more precise details that can elucidate the future of urban planning in the city of Constantine.