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The emergence of the Spatial Agency approach marks a significant shift from traditional architectural paradigms, emphasizing the interconnectedness of social and technological networks involving diverse stakeholders. This approach aims to reframe conceptual frameworks and establish a resilient built environment. In contrast, the M'Zab architecture in Ghardaïa, Algeria, is adapted to the harsh desert landscape, reflecting socio-cultural identity and meeting the needs of local communities. The ksar of Tafilelt in Ghardaïa exemplifies strategies for preserving M'Zab architecture and urban identity while promoting sustainability and empowering marginalized communities through intricate socio-technical networks. This study examines how architectural interventions in Tafilelt's new ksar, as a system of agency, contribute to social and ecological resilience, health, well-being, and the continuation of Mozabite architectural identity, particularly focusing on its Eco-Parc. The research methodology utilizes the Mapping Controversies technique and Bruno Latour's Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as a conceptual framework. Spatial agency is presented as an innovative strategy fostering socio-ecological networks of resilience in the new ksar of Tafilelt. It views architecture as an ecosystem that balances human agency and non-human local devices, empowering communities in decisionmaking and management. This approach promotes ecological balance, social equity, economic resilience, and health enhancement. The findings and framework can guide local architects in understanding and navigating the complexities of architectural practice, especially in marginalized communities. Future research could explore the application of these concepts in other Algerian regions and compare them with traditional government project approaches to understand their benefits and drawbacks.

Situated in the arid landscapes of southern Algeria and Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1982, the ancient cities of the M'zab Valley embody a profound link between architecture, community, and the harsh Saharan milieu. The exploration of such intangible attributes that mirror human experience is necessary in appraising ancient built environments. This study aims to understand the aesthetic experience of the site’s visitors, essential to understand its intangible aspects. Using Natural Language Processing (NLP) a method based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the research systematically analyzes online reviews, revealing recurring positive keywords like "amazement" and "wonder." The NLP methodology unveils subtle emotional patterns, enriching discussions on cultural heritage preservation. Extracted insights aid in formulating targeted protection plans, aligning conservation efforts with the valley's authentic qualities. This data-centric approach not only enhances preservation effectiveness but also preserves the captivating experiences that contribute to the valley's global significance

The management of heritage sites is fundamental to their conservation and sustainability, and more broadly, it contributes to the preservation of...

This paper aims to assess the sustainability potential of Algerian desert Ksour's architectural and urban heritage. It identifies systems aligning with the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), categorized into formal, spatial organization, and architectonic aspects. The approach correlates Ksour's architectural features with SDGs defined by the International Union of Architects, yielding 40 passive features applicable for achieving SDGs. Notably, features like high windows (architectural) and strategic siting (urban) remain relevant for energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction. This research gives us the opportunity to improve our strategies for rehabilitating and adapting built heritage so that it can meet current environmental challenges, but also opens up the possibility in the future of continuing to identify more sustainable systems by extending the study of heritage examples, but also and above all of developing a reflection on the adaptation of these passive systems in the design of contemporary architectural and urban projects.

The traditional architecture in the M'zab Valley was a real response to the needs of the natural community and a direct reflection of its lifestyle, nature of activities, environmental requirements, individual and collective life practices within the intellectual system and its natural framework. Therefore, we do not find any part in this architecture that does not serve a specific function or symbolize a certain goal, considering that all material production in this society is a homogeneous and harmonious expression between needs, aspirations, goals, religious values, organizations and interactive social relationships with nature and climatic factors. Thus, architectural production in general and traditional housing in M'zab specifically testify to all these values and ideas manifested in their patterns, plans, units and architectural elements, It was necessary to study the impact of these social organizations and practices on the traditional dwelling in M'zab, considering it as a fundamental urban unit in shaping its palaces and a real product that reflects the values and ideas of this society. And since the dwelling is part of this human production, its relationship with social practice is a strong and organic relationship.

Algerian Mzab traditional houses, using passive techniques since the eleventh century (from 1012 to 1882), have seen recent modifications. Analysis of 612 questionnaires and interviews with Mzab residents reveals 81.2% of these houses have been modified. Modifications include adding floors, thinning walls, and replacing lime with cement, driven by the need for space, ventilation, and modernisation. However, such modifications often increase energy consumption, with residents requiring more heating in winter and air conditioning in summer. This reliance on fossil fuels exacerbates regional climate insecurity. Planting roof terraces and using high-insulation building materials can reduce energy consumption in modified Mzab houses.

حظيت العمارة الإسلامية بالجزائر إلى الإهتمام الكبير ، فإستخدم القدامى موادة تبدو صلبة كالتراب المدكوك أو الآجر .

ملخص: شهد البحث في حقل الآثار الصحراوية اهتمام الدارسين في العقود الأخيرة خاصة ما تعلق بقصور صحراء الجزائر، غير أن صعوبات الباحثين في هذا الميدان كثيرة منها قلة المادة الخبرية في المصادر العربية، لذلك يهدف مقالنا إلى تقديم قراءة تحليلية لمسائل في تشييد القصور الصحراوية أشار إليها أبو العباس أحمد الفرسطائي (المتوفى سنة 504هـ) في مؤلفه القسمة وأصول الأرضين، حاولنا به الوقوف على قضايا اختيار أرضيات القصور وتخطيطها وبناء عمارتها على اختلاف أنواعها الدينية، العسكرية، والمدنية، وما اتصل بها من حقوق وواجبات الساكنة. الكلمات المفتاحية : القصر؛ الفرسطائي؛ القسمة؛ العمارة الإباضية، الشوارع. Abstract : Research in Saharan archeology has aroused the interest of researchers in recent decades, in particular that linked to the "Ksour" in the Algerian desert. Indeed, the difficulties of researchers in this field are numerous, especially the lack of information in Arab sources. In this sense, our article aims to provide an analytical reading of the challenges of building Ksour of the desert addressed by Abu Al Abbas Ahmed Al-Forastai (died in 504 Hegira) in his work "the division and the origins of the two lands ". We tried to evoke the questions of the choice of Ksour lands, their planning and the construction of buildings according to their religious, military and civil types as well as the rights and duties of the inhabitants. Keywords : The ksar; al-forastai; division, Ibadite architecture, the streets. Résumé : La recherche en archéologie saharienne a suscité l'intéret des chercheurs ces dernières décénies, en particulier celle liée aux "Ksour" dans le désert algérien. En effet les difficultés des chercheurs dans ce domaine sont nombreuses surtout le manque d'informations dans les sources arabes. Dans ce sens, notre article vise à fournir une lecture analytique des enjeux de construction de Ksour du désert abordées par Abu Al Abbas Ahmed Al-Forastai (décédé en 504 de l'Hégire) dans son ouvrage "la division et les origines des deux terres". Nous avons tenté d'évoquer les questions du choix des terres des Ksour, de leur planification et de la construction des bâtiments selon leurs types religieux, militaires et civils ainsi que les droits et devoirs des habitants. Mots clés : le ksar; al-forastai; division, l’architecture ibadite, les rues

A Ghardaïa, dans le dédale des rues, les murs sans fenêtres laissent parfois apparaître un moucharabieh qui donne à voir la mosquée.

Article concerns of the ancient traditional settlements of Algeria. The main attention are payed to the introduction of architecture of M'zab Valley that is a special historical urban phenomenon of Algerian. Article deals with five old historical preserved settlements, so called ksour, that are gathered in the agglomeration of M'zab Valley (so called Pentapolis) in the oasis of Sahara desert. The article is analysing the traditional planning structure and architecture of ksour in urban scale (macro level) pointing special attention to the climate adaptation techniques of building in the severe natural environment of Sahara desert. The Pentapolis of M'zab Valley is unique example of agglomeration where people dwells preserving traditions more than millennium of the years using the same urban infrastructures and buildings. In this point of view, it could be considered like an excellent case for study the harmonization of ancient traditions in the circumstances of modernity by living in the substantiality with environment.

The M’ Zab Pentapolis, located on the edge of the northern Sahara, is a settlement system composed of five fortified cities (ksour) founded from the year One thousand by a group of religious dissidents, the Ibadis, on the slopes of the Algerian oasis that runs along the M’Zab uadi. The French architect André Ravéreau, was contacted in 1960 by the Agence du Plan d’Alger to participate in the Plan for the M’Zab Valley. With his wife, the photographer Manuelle Roche, Ravéreau drew up an interpretative analysis of the territory: he broke the valley down into its constituent parts to reuse them in his design projects. His studies also have contributed to create a certain imagery of the model of the “ideal Islamic city”. This paper aims to highlight how the architect’s interpretative reading of the valley is trans- ferred to his projects. Ravéreau was commissioned to design villes nouvelles within a valley surrounded by five ancient Islamic cities. He came up with proposals that were in continuity with the existing urban structure – demonstrating his ability to build relationships between the building, the ancient city, and the landscape – while at the same time attempting to com- bine the requirements of traditional culture with modern aspirations.