Directions to accelerate the rehabilitation of old buildings in the capital

The Minister and Governor of Algiers, Mohamed Abdel Nour Rabhi, within the framework of following up on the projects of the White Plan for the Strategic Outlook for the Development and Modernization of the Capital, provided directives to accelerate the rehabilitation of old buildings in the capital, during a field visit he made to determine the progress of the works in a number of municipalities such as El Harrach, Hussein Dey, Mohamed Belouizdad and Central Algiers.

The process of rehabilitating old data is one of the priorities set within the white plan, as the state of Algiers launched a special program aimed at preserving an important urban fabric, distinguished by the quality and diversity of its architectural styles, but it was affected by the factors of time, which made it vulnerable to deterioration and fragility.

The works include addressing random expansions on the roofs, balconies and basements, while taking the necessary measures to clear them of illegal occupants.

This program is implemented in two stages:

First stage: The buildings touch the major avenues and streets, such as the streets of Didouche Mourad, Larbi Ben M’hidi, Asla Hussein, Zighoud Youssef and Karim Belkacem.

Second stage: It extends towards the popular neighborhoods and neighboring municipalities, and this is at the level of the streets of Mohammed V, Hassiba Ben Bouali, Mohammed Belouizdad and Tripoli in Hussein Dey. It also includes buildings in the preserved sector of the Kasbah, especially Zabih Sharif Street, Al-Nasr Street, the Louni Arzki slope and Ammar Ali Street, in addition to Ali Khoja Street and Bougura Avenue in the municipality of Al-Abiar, as well as the center of Al-Harrach, provided that the process continues to gradually affect all municipalities.

The state departments will also undertake a number of interventions by preparing outdoor spaces designated for pedestrians, renewing various networks in accordance with approved standards, reorganizing commercial activities in major axes by preparing a book of conditions specifying the regulatory framework, and adjusting storefronts and working hours.

During his visit, the Minister provided directions to accelerate the pace of the works, stressing the need to complete them with perfection and high quality, as he expressed his satisfaction with the progress and quality of the works so far, and thanked the workers and all those in charge of the project for their efforts in the field, especially since these works are characterized by a high degree of complexity, due to the antiquity of the buildings and their architectural nature, which requires great precision and professionalism in the various stages of implementation.

Despite the technical and practical difficulties that characterize the works, this process was well received by the residents, who showed great understanding of the circumstantial inconvenience it might cause.