By Sarah Erickson

The Casbah of Algiers has been a cultural, religious, and economic hub bringing together community and family. Over time it has faced challenges, from colonialism to bombings. Recently, artists, activists, and academics have pushed for revitalization. 

It is important to center local architects and communities when advocating for this rehabilitation. Preservation of the vitality and cultural significance is important, especially amongst a colonial legacy. The Casbah has a long past and hopeful future.

Sources

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• ———. “Kasbah of Algiers.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Accessed June 2, 2021. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/565/

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• Zacks, Stephen. “Cultural Capital: The Ongoing Regeneration of Algiers’ Casbah.” Architectural Review (blog), September 19, 2019. https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/cultural-capital-the-ongoing-regeneration-of-algiers-casbah

Images

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• Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. “Kasbah of Algiers.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Accessed June 2, 2021. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/565/

• Collection, Photochrom Print. Moorish Women Making Arab Carpets, Algiers, Algeria. 1899date QS:P571,+ - -00T00:00:00Z/9 1899. 1 photomechanical print : photochrom, color. Library of Congress

• Catalog: http://lccn.loc.gov/2001697844. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moorish_women_making_Arab_carpets,_Algiers,_Algeria-LCCN2001697844.jpg

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• “Urban Forms and Colonial Confrontations.” Accessed June 2, 2021. https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft8c6009jk&chunk.id=d0e1202&toc.depth=1&toc.id=d0e1202&brand=ucpress

• Zacks, Stephen. “Cultural Capital: The Ongoing Regeneration of Algiers’ Casbah.” Architectural Review (blog), September 19, 2019. https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/cultural-capital-the-ongoing-regeneration-of-algiers-casbah