Urban expansion and heritage threats: Preservation of Mansourah archaelogical site in Tlemcen, Algeria

Abstract

As a rule, heritage plays a crucial role in shaping the identity of communities, with archaeological sites, in particular, being irreplaceable material witnesses of bygone eras. However, due to their fragility and non-renewable nature, they require strict protection. In Algeria, the archaeological site of Mansourah, located southwest of Tlemcen, is noticeable for its exceptional historical and architectural significance. A legacy of the Marinids of Fez, the site notably houses the Mansourah Mosque, considered the last great mosque with a military purpose in the Muslim West. This research project addresses the issue of preserving the archaeological site of Mansourah in the face of chaotic urban expansion in Tlemcen. The research is based on a mixed methodology, combining historical, architectural, and urban analyses. Between 2021 and 2023, field surveys were conducted alongside an inventory of relevant documents and multi-temporal satellite images. These data enable a comparative study of the development of the urban fabric on the archaeological site and its surroundings. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with residents of informal housing units, revealing their perceptions of the importance of the site and its preservation. The aim of this article is to analyse the major challenges in preserving the archaeological site of Mansourah in Tlemcen amid urban expansion, by examining the perception of this heritage by the occupants of dwellings encroaching on the site and its surroundings. The study highlights that, despite its classification, the site is often seen as a constraint rather than a resource. Finally, the article calls for a specific operational management plan to enhance the history of Mansourah while taking contemporary urban realities into account.

Keywords

• tlemcen
• urban expansion
• protection
• archaeological site
• heritage
• mansourah