jump to the content
Advanced search

State of Conservation (SOC)

Kasbah of Algiers (2005)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0 (from1993-2002)
Total Amount Ap proved: 92,600USD

2002 Mise en place d'un chantier-école de spécialisation aux métiers ...   50,000  USD
2000 Publication of "Croquis of the Old Algiers"   5,000  USD
1997 Training of 3 architects in safeguarding techniques for the ...   8,700  USD
1995 Training of architects for the safeguarding plan of Kasbah of ...   18,900  USD
1993 Preparation of a safeguarding plan for Kasbah of Algiers   10,000  USD
Missions**

September 2001:  reactive monitoring mission of the World Heritage Centre.

October 2003: February-March and November 2004:  three expert missions in the framework of activities for training assistance to set up a technical school for traditional building professions in the Kasbah of Algiers.  

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Natural erosion;
  • Lack of maintenance of housing;
  • Loss of traditional conservation techniques;
  • Uncontrolled land-use;
  • Constant collapse of houses (three dead and others injured in May 2002);
  • Conservation Plan existing but not operational;
  • Lack of coordination activities at the property.
Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

Referring to the decion of the 28th session of the Committee (Suzhou, 2004), the State Party sent in January 2005 to the World Heritage Centre a report on progress made in the implementation of the measures for the safegmuard of the Kasbah of Algiers.

The draft executive decree for the creation and delimitation of the protected sector of the Kasbah of Algiers will soon be published in the Journal officiel by the concerned authorities.   The conservation plan of the Kasbah of Algiers, elaborated by a National Bureau of Studies under the authority of the Wilaya, is currently being studied and harmonised by the Directorate of Cultural Heritage in regard to the legal text on the mechanisms for the establishment of a permanent conservation and presentation plan for the protected sectors. 

 In the present phase, restoration and presentation work is being carried out on listed monuments in the protected sector.   The restoration project for the Citadel of Algiers, sponsored by the President of the Algerian Republic, received substantial funding that enabled the Ministry of Culture to undertake restricted international consultation.   An expert committee, presided by the Director of Cultural Heritage, was appointed, in particular to elaborate the specifications for the launching of the restoration operation for the Citadel of Algiers.  It has also recently undertaken an important sanitation operation in the Kasbah. Other restoration and safeguarding projects have been conducted by the Wilaya of Algiers.

Within the framework of the project for assistance under the World Heritage Fund entitled “Apprentice School specialising in traditional building techniques of the Kasbah of Algiers”, three World Heritage Centre expert missions were undertaken in Algeria (October 2003, February-March and November 2004), to launch this operation in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the Wilaya of Algiers.   The latter has made available a building to house the future documentation and information centre foreseen in the project.

In its report, the State Party solicits the assistance of the World Heritage Centre to designate an expert to participate, together with the working group set up by the Ministry of Culture, in the examination of the conformity of the permanent conservation and presentation plan for the Kasbah of Algiers, in regard to the legislation in force.

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

29COM7B.44
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev,

2. Recalling its Decision 28 COM 15B.43, adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004),

3. Commends the State Party of Algeria for having undertaken all of the actions for the safeguard of the Kasbah of Algiers, in particular the publication of the draft executive decree on the creation and delimitation of the protected sector and the elaboration of a conservation plan for the Kasbah of Algiers;

4. Invites the State Party to submit an international assistance request so that an expert can be made available to the Ministry of Culture to participate in the examination of the permanent conservation and presentation plan of the Kasbah of Algiers ;

5. Urges the State Party to pursue rehabilitation measures within the Kasbah of Algiers;

6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2007, a report on the application of its Decision, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session (2007).

Draft Decision:29 COM 7B.44

The World Heritage Committee,

1.              Having examined Document WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev,

2.              Recalling its Decision 28 COM 15B.43, adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004),

3.              Commends the State Party for having undertaken all of the actions for the safeguard of the Kasbah of Algiers, in particular the publication of the draft executive decree on the creation and delimination of the protected sector and the elaboration of a conservation plan for the Kasbah of Algiers;

4.              Invites the State Party to submit an international assistance request so that an expert can be made available to the Ministry of Culture to participate in the examination of the permanent conservation and presentation plan of the Kasbah of Algiers ;

5.              Urges  the State Party to pusue rehabilitation measures within the Kasbah of Algiers;

6.              Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2007, a report on the application of the decision of the Committee, for its consideration at its 31st session in 2007.

Kasbah of Algiers
State Party:
Algeria
Date of Inscription: 1992
Nomination records (Year): 1990
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (ii)(v)
Documents
Original Documents
WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev
Other Documents
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports
SOC Reports by year
2013
2011
2009
2007
2005
2004
1994
1993
Detailed List of SOC reports
Threats*
Changes in traditional ways of life and knowledge system
Erosion and siltation/ deposition
Land conversion
Management systems/ management plan
Other Threats:
a) Lack of maintenance of housing; b) Collapse of houses (three dead and others injured in May 2002)

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.