The Ksour of Ghardaïa: A Model of Sustainable Saharan Architecture in Algeria

Abstract

The ksour or kasbahs located in Ghardaïa are perfect examples of new-age, sustainable buildings that have been constructed with an appreciation of the harsh environment of the Saharan Desert. Built by members of the Ibadīt community, ksour are built around a common mosque and consist of densely populated urban areas made up of housing arrangements along small and shaded roads, surrounded by the remnants of large fortifications and located near an oasis.The overall layout of ksour provides the necessary conditions to allow people to adapt to the climate, provide social cohesion within their community, and manage their natural resources effectively. The close proximity of agricultural activities to the ksour allows the two spaces to work together effectively, promoting efficient water use and sustaining agricultural activities. The design characteristics of the ksour—houses built facing inward, courtyards, use of local materials, and compact urban design—all help create buildings and an overall environment that provide thermal comfort and an energy-efficient setting. The ksar of Tafilalt contains these same principal architectural design features, demonstrating that strong cultures inherently develop resilient solutions to urban design issues when guided by their cultural history.