Ksar Tafilelt — A Beacon of Eco-Urbanism in the Algerian Desert
By Myriam Ait-Abdelmalek — May 2024
While today environmental issues are occupying more and more space in public debate, as they should, their roots go very far back. In 2024, the prospect of an entirely environmentally-friendly city seems complicated to implement, so you can imagine how far-fetched the idea seemed in the ‘90s — because yes, it was back in 1990 that the project of the eco-city of Ksar Tafilalet was born. With the southern Algerian region suffering from a housing crisis at the time, which was being "solved" by the massive construction of concrete buildings that pay no homage to local architecture and culture, Ahmed Nouh created the Amidoul Foundation, with a loftier, far more noble goal in mind.
At the core of his project, the native of Ghardaia aims to implement a philosophy of respectful urban planning and design that will serve his community, his country, and above all his planet. The budding real estate developer acquired a 22-hectare plot of land in the heart of the magnificent oasis of Tafilalet. Bordered by sand dunes and flourishing palm trees, the city project in the valley grew to more than 1000 houses by 2005. And while we will discuss the important environmental aspect of this self-sufficient city in detail later in this article, it’s important to underline the social nature of the project. Ksar Tafilelt is not only a jewel addressing the environmental challenges of our planet, it’s also incredibly socially impactful, as intended by its founder. Indeed, it was paramount to Nouh to ensure the urban project served all in his community, which is why the housing offered by the city is at reduced rent and prioritized for families in need and parents with dependents. An initiative as beautiful as it is responsible.
Resembling a haven of peace in the Algerian desert, Ksar Tafilelt has been entirely designed and thought out sustainably, not only to meet environmental objectives and regulations but also to respect the rich cultural heritage of the Ghardaia municipality. The houses occupying the community’s 22 hectares have been built on the principles of the ksour architectural style to honor the local culture and, above all, to adopt the standards of buildings located in and near the desert. Concrete is replaced by lime, plaster, and stone, which are cheaper, and provide more insulation which protects against sandstorms. And when it comes to paint, the designers opted for white and ochre hues to ensure the buildings blend in with the local environment and natural color palette.
Beyond the houses, the alleys are narrow to preserve maximum shade and protect the buildings from potential sandstorms — nothing has been left to chance. As for the buildings’ windows, they are clad in Moucharabieh, a perforated partition made of wooden panels allowing natural ventilation. Outside the houses, adjacent to the city, an eco-park acts as the lungs of Ksar Tafilelt. Relying on volunteer residents to take care of its maintenance, it follows the rules of organic agriculture. The animals present — mainly goats, sheep, and monkeys — are partly fed by the biodegradable waste of the inhabitants, and a wastewater treatment system has been put in place to irrigate the vast eco-park. A scrupulous organization has been set up so that the caretaking tasks are fairly distributed between the inhabitants. From maintaining the oasis to ensuring the proper upkeep of the city itself, Ksar Tafilelt has established an organizational system envied by urban planners the world over.
A true community spirit reigns in the city, with the desire to make the municipality shine in an eco-responsible manner. Socially, the city benefits from a crop-sharing program, allowing its residents to share the fruits, vegetables, and livestock sourced from the eco-park. The idea is to become as self-sufficient as possible when it comes to food; the inhabitants of Ksar Tafilelt pay particular attention to the range of tree species, animals, and medicinal plants present in the oasis.
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