An Architectural Study of the Ksour in the Touat Region of Adrar Province

Abstract

This study examines the architecture of the ksour in the Touat region of Adrar Province, an area rich in historic architectural heritage, particularly its kasbahs. It seeks to provide an objective analysis of the principal effects of urbanisation on this heritage. The theoretical component introduces the region’s ksour and analyses their built form, tracing the stages of their architectural development in the Algerian Sahara, the architectural patterns within the ksar and their functions, the forms and classifications of ksour, and the factors that contributed to their emergence in the Algerian Sahara. The field component addresses urbanisation in the ksar, its manifestations and driving factors, and the reasons for its delayed onset, with the aim of identifying its implications for the ksar’s built environment. To achieve these objectives, the study employed descriptive-analytical and historical approaches, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Three data-collection instruments were used: documents and statistics, open unstructured interviews, and a questionnaire. The structured questionnaire was administered to 200 members of the community of the ksar under study.The study reached several findings, summarized as follows: First, urban ways of life have become widespread in the ksour, extending to a large proportion of their inhabitants as their built-up areas have expanded and they have become more open to the outside world, with corresponding effects on the built environment. Second, the built environment is the domain most affected by urbanisation. Third, the type and form of housing have shifted from mud-brick dwellings to cement or fired-brick construction, and from cramped dwellings lacking rooms or modern amenities to more modern forms of accommodation. Fourth, the provision of social, recreational and cultural facilities—including electricity, town gas, sewerage networks, a cultural activities hall, a neighbourhood sports ground, a medical clinic, paved roads and various communication services—has brought about changes to the built environment and the spatial dynamics of the ksar. Fifth, the ksar’s built fabric appears as a mosaic of mud-brick and cement buildings, particularly as cement structures have encroached on traditional mud-brick housing, whether through the choices of the inhabitants themselves or state intervention intended to develop the ksar’s inner areas. Finally, urbanization has brought several changes to the ksar. Its pace has accelerated particularly over the past two decades, affecting the historic architectural heritage.