Originally, the city is a Phoenician name Ikosim , which is Latinized (Icosium) during Roman, Vandal, and Byzantine. Algiers, known as "Regency of Algiers," is headed for three centuries by the Janissaries (Turkish troops).
From 10th to 15th century Algiers undergoes domination of all the contenders who vied for power in the central Maghrib. In the late 15th century, Algiers like other coastal towns suffered the Maghreb coup against the "Reconquista" of Spain. The population grew with the arrival of many immigrants and Andalusian city grows. Faced with the persistence of the Christian Crusade, the population of Algiers sought the protection of the brothers Barbarossa, who settled in Algiers in 1516. During this period
"Ottoman", the seat of government and administration was at the Palace of Jenin in the lower part of the city. It will install the beylerbeys from 1534 to 1585, the Pasha of 1585 to 1659, the Agha from 1659 to 1971 and, finally, Deys 1671 to 1817. It is then transferred to the Casbah until 1830. Country's capital during the period 1529-1830, Algiers is a fortified with a formidable fleet, which gives it unparalleled authority at sea
from 16th to 19th century mansions of dignitaries and officials being built in the lower part of the city: Dar Hassan Pacha, Dar Aziza, Dar Mustapha Pasha. This becomes part of the town's business district. A large shopping street develops, from Bab El Oued Bab to Azzoun. This is the area of the souks, fairly close to the Palace the Jenina. On the eve of the French occupation, Algiers, extends in part between the street Bengana Boulevard Hahkad, the citadel (Kasbah) and the port is 3200 meters of walls with five gates that enclose it. The suburbs are the country with beautiful villas buried in a green and extensive gardens that are admired by Europeans. Uptown, Jebel as it is called, is the real city with its mosques, narrow streets and zaouias.
expansion and development of the city of Algiers during the French colonialism :
A-roads. After
the conquest of 1830, two resources available to the French to occupy the homes Moorish architecture to adapt to them and that to demolish a few to build roadways and squares can be used for gatherings troops and markets.
The topography of the city may, through the vicinity of the port, have a greater economic interest. Thus, it is in this area has the highest processing. It begins with some demolitions between Bab Azoun and Navy, as well as the street bazaars to allow trucks to circulate freely.
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It continues the street layout Azoun Bab, Bab el Oued and the Navy who were previously just expanded. For the first two, we construct arcaded streets and we passed the establishment of galleries, to fight against the sun. Also the opening of two other streets is decided, those of Chartres and Consuls to establish communication between North and South doors in case the streets Azoun Bab el Oued and Bab were rendered unusable.
B-Habitat: As regards housing, the French lodge in the upper town, in most homes located along the ramparts. Is continued Europeanisation the Muslim city; develop Moorish buildings seems to be the best program to use the city. Thus, in 1839, the lower part of the city tends to disappear, demolitions and expropriations help give a new aspect to this neighborhood. The immigration of Europeans is important. All new entrants begin by first occupying Moorish houses that are transformed to meet new demands. These converted houses soon become unhealthy and poorly ventilated buildings. During his trip, Napoleon III made a personal investigation that results in stopping the demolition of the old city. The report said that senior city must remain intact. The demolition of the uptown stops. One begins to realize that it is difficult to graft a European city on a Muslim city. Time alone is then responsible for changing the appearance of the city.
The town grew so slowly, and neighborhoods of Algiers quite similar to Parisian neighborhoods, each with its housing types Haussmann with the necessary places in public life (garden, church, town hall, school ). The old Ottoman sumptuous villas are used as second homes requisitioned by the great French families. A
From 1903, the French government calls for respect for indigenous culture, so the Moorish Revival style was born. (Example: large post). The beautification of the city is accentuated during the years 1930 (the centenary of the conquest of Algeria). It's a way to justify colonialism and to show its success. For this, we build museums (Museum of Fine Arts), gardens (garden trials), arts venues (villa eltif abd).
c-Transportation:
Railway: In 1892 the Compagnie des Chemins de Fer Roads in Algeria (CFRA) was founded. One of them is centered on Algiers. It consists of a coastline through Algiers by the boulevards along the harbor.
Tramway: In 1892 the Compagnie des Tramways Algerians (TA) is created to be a purely urban network in Algiers. A long line was built parallel to the lines of CFRA, but inside the city.
Trolleybus: In addition to the streetcar line of the TA, a new trolley bus line was put into service.
Parallelism with Saigon:
Saigon, today called Ho Chi Minh City ( from 1975), is the first city in Viet Nam, located near the delta of the Mekong . This city is the metropolis of southern Iraq. During colonization, it was the capital of
Saigon, today called Ho Chi Minh City ( from 1975), is the first city in Viet Nam, located near the delta of the Mekong . This city is the metropolis of southern Iraq. During colonization, it was the capital of
the French Indochina (Cochin). And thus retains much of Saigon traces, through its architecture, this colonial period.
We therefore find similarities between Algiers and Saigon. Particular architecture of the streets, means of transportation, neighborhoods and even lifestyle.
"The streets and sidewalks near the top were great. Space orgiastic useless not negligent was offered the powerful break. And in the streets dropped their cars rubber, suspended in a semi impressive silence. [...] Circuit trams scrupulously avoided the upper quarter. It would have been useless in fact there were trams in that quarter the city, where everyone was driving cars. [...] It was even circuits of trams strictly circumscribing the Eden district was still the top from those who crowded trams, white dust, and under a sun with a dizzying dragged slowly dying in thunder junk, you could get an idea of another city, which was not white. " (Description of Saigon by Marguerite Duras, from his book Dam against the Pacific published in 1950.
[...] "Saigon looks like quite a small town in southern France. The layout of the city has wide streets shaded beautiful trees, and its animation is quite different from that of a British colonial city of east. It is a small town gay and pleasant. It has an opera house with a dazzling white [...], which opens onto a broad avenue, and a brand new city hall. From hotels, terraces welcome to the cocktail hour, a large number of French. [...]. Victorias pass at full speed, pulled by two ponies and honking motorists. The sun shines in a cloudless sky and the shadow freezes, heat crushed. " (Vision of Saigon, by Somerset Maugham, from the book A Gentleman in Asia, published in 1930).
Algiers today :
Despite the traces left by colonialism, there is, nowadays, major changes in the architecture of Algiers. Some buildings have changed functions (examples: church converted into a mosque or a museum: Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Africa, Ketchaoua) others have been or will be demolished (example: the Parisian building in Algiers center) and the majority of the names of streets, squares and boulevards have been modified.
We therefore find similarities between Algiers and Saigon. Particular architecture of the streets, means of transportation, neighborhoods and even lifestyle.
"The streets and sidewalks near the top were great. Space orgiastic useless not negligent was offered the powerful break. And in the streets dropped their cars rubber, suspended in a semi impressive silence. [...] Circuit trams scrupulously avoided the upper quarter. It would have been useless in fact there were trams in that quarter the city, where everyone was driving cars. [...] It was even circuits of trams strictly circumscribing the Eden district was still the top from those who crowded trams, white dust, and under a sun with a dizzying dragged slowly dying in thunder junk, you could get an idea of another city, which was not white. " (Description of Saigon by Marguerite Duras, from his book Dam against the Pacific published in 1950.
[...] "Saigon looks like quite a small town in southern France. The layout of the city has wide streets shaded beautiful trees, and its animation is quite different from that of a British colonial city of east. It is a small town gay and pleasant. It has an opera house with a dazzling white [...], which opens onto a broad avenue, and a brand new city hall. From hotels, terraces welcome to the cocktail hour, a large number of French. [...]. Victorias pass at full speed, pulled by two ponies and honking motorists. The sun shines in a cloudless sky and the shadow freezes, heat crushed. " (Vision of Saigon, by Somerset Maugham, from the book A Gentleman in Asia, published in 1930).
Algiers today :
Despite the traces left by colonialism, there is, nowadays, major changes in the architecture of Algiers. Some buildings have changed functions (examples: church converted into a mosque or a museum: Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Africa, Ketchaoua) others have been or will be demolished (example: the Parisian building in Algiers center) and the majority of the names of streets, squares and boulevards have been modified.
Old names (Sample) / News designations (examples)
staircase Admiralty / Omar Dib
Bab Azzoun / Ouanouri Mohamed
Bastion Central / Colonel Amir
Bologhine / Houcine Bou Rahla
Bouzareah / Colonel Lotfi
Bru Boulevard / Boulevard des Martyrs Square
Bugeaud / Place Emir Abd El Kader
Camille-St-Saëns/Mohamed V
staircase Dennie / Khelifa Boukhalfa
Place General Joalland / Place May 1st Place Clemenceau
/ Mustapha Ali Khoja
Place Jeanne D'Arc / United Nations Square Boulevard
Lyon / Belouizdad
Boulevard Michelet Street / Rue Didouche Mourad
Rovigo / Debih
Sadi-Carnot/Hassiba Cherif Ben Bouali
Telemly / Salah Bouakouir
Boulevard de Verdun / Haddad Abderrezak
Creek Neighborhood / El Annassir
Sources Used:
history lesson on French colonialism (for example, Algeria).
book "Architecture of Algeria" collection art and culture.
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alger
http://jmph.blog.lemonde.fr/2007/07/15/promenades-algeriennes-1-alger/ (photos)
http://www.revuelabyrinthe.org/document1493.html
http://www.ebabylone.com/encyclopedie_Alger.html
http://www.cosmovisions.com/monuAlger.htm
http://home.nordnet.fr/~jcpillon/piedgris/Transports%20oranais.html
http://www.algeriantourism.com/reportage_photos/casbah/index.htm (photos)
http://www.palaisdesrais-bastion23.dz/Transformations%20francaises%20La%20Casbah%20dAlger.htm
http://membres.lycos.fr/samtig/alger.htm
http://www.alger-roi.net/Alger/documents_algeriens/culturel/pages/56_casbah_actuelle.htm
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/H% C3% B4 Chi Minh City (Saigon)
http://belleindochine.free.fr/saigon.htm (Saigon)
NOTE: The photos are mostly old postcards or Photos that have been scanned.
Mounira, Hannah, and Rym Djallal
