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2012-07-26
Major projects to revamp Algiers under way
By Hayam El Hadi for Magharebia in Algiers – 26/07/12
Algiers is being given a new look. By 2029, the capital will become the "Pearl of the Mediterranean", according to the governor of Algiers, who is promising a city that is more open to the sea.
Two weeks ago, residents of Algiers got to see stunning models of the future, with redevelopment transforming currently derelict areas. Residents of the city saw miniature versions of the swimming pools, playgrounds, stadiums, biking paths, rest areas and restaurants that will replace the current desolate landscape by 2015.
The acres of land flanking the Route Moutonnière and Oued El Harrach will be the first areas targeted by the huge restoration project. The project has an initial budget of 202 billion dinars (2 billion euros), according to APS.
![[AFP/Fayez Nureldine] The Bay of Algiers will be the focus of a long-term redevelopment plan for Algiers.](/awi/images/2012/07/26/120726Feature2Photo1-650_429.jpg)
Mohamed El Kebir Addou, the governor of Algiers, said at the project kick-off July 14th that the initiative was "part of the plan to develop the Bay of Algiers" and is the first-ever attempt to implement "a very long-term vision aiming at restructuring the city of Algiers in a progressive but sustainable way".
The first priority will be to decontaminate the Oued El Harrach. The scale of the project is ambitious as it will turn the river, sadly notorious for its nauseating smells, into the new centre of attraction of the Bay of Algiers, around which other projects will be implemented.
Some residents of Algiers are in awe, while others are sceptical. Mohamed Mebtouche, who is 40 and lives in the working-class district of El Harrach, told Magharebia of his astonishment upon hearing of the project that will be implemented in his neighbourhood.
"Turn Oued El Harrach into a leisure area? I'm amazed at the choice of location. It's such a working-class part of town with a reputation for not being very welcoming, but I have faith in the people who live there, they'll adapt," he said.
"It will be so wonderful to see this oued transformed into lakes where we'll be able to go fishing and gardens where our children will be able to run around. I hope that God will let me live until 2015 so that I can see the project become a reality," Mebtouche added.
Manel Meddahi, a 24-year-old student, expressed scepticism about the project. "So they want to transform the Oued El Harrach, which has made our lives a misery for years with its smells and mosquitoes, into a holiday resort? I don't believe it. I can't imagine this area, which is so ugly today, being full of trees with swimming pools and playgrounds. I've seen the models, it looks so pretty but I'll believe it when I see it."
The governor of Algiers is adamant that the project will be completed, however. It will involve several stages. The first stage (2009-2014) will focus on reclaiming the capital's seafront and revamping historic centre of Algiers such as the Kasbah, restoring the ecological balance, the reorganisation of certain districts surrounding large public amenities and the installation of modern street lighting.
During the second stage (2015-2019), a new deep-water port will be built, the Bay of Algiers will continue to be developed and tracts of industrially-owned land will be reclaimed. During the third stage (2020-2024), the efforts to develop the Bay of Algiers will continue.
The goal of the final stage (2025-2029) will be to transform Algiers into a "world city" that is open to the sea and the rest of the world.
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POST YOUR COMMENT 9
Chaoui 2012-8-19
It was a very, very beautiful celebration of Eid al-Fitr in Algeria, our mother, for the Algerians, all of the country’s children wherever they may be! This was a very beautiful celebration of our dear champion, Toufik Makhloufi and his loved ones as well as all of the heroes who have drawn the path: Nordine, Hassiba and all the others! We have a tender thought for our people who disappeared. We are appreciative and feel for all those who gave their lives so that Algeria could live and for the sons of this people, the bravest of the brave, who watch over us night and day!!! Blessed Eid!!! By God, there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his Prophet! – Salam alaikoum
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J'adore l'ALGERIE ! 2012-8-14
God protect Algeria and the Algerians from the evil eye of all the envious and jealous of all stripes!
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"l' Ancien" 2012-8-14
To ياسين, Kamel and all the others – The worthy sons of this martyred land, who carry the torch of the valorous men high and who will never recede in the face of adversity for their dignity, their freedom, their identity, their culture and their religion. All these precious values, taken back at the hefty price of the blood of the brave, will always be defended by the generations of men, who are free and equal to their ancestors in courage, virility and dignity. Our ancestors left us with a heritage of incommensurable moral value. Thank you, Yacine, Kamel and all the other dozens of others. I implore God Almighty to continue to protect this sacred land and its people, thank God!
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kamel 2012-8-9
Algeria is the jewel and pearl of Africa with the testimony of researchers and specialists in ecology. Such project will make the capital and its surroundings look nicer and more attractive. Moreover, there is the project of the big mosque which was studied during the rule of the late president Houari Boumediene and it was waiting to be built. Now it is time to implement it as well. We hope as people and citizens to see other projects in Annaba, Constantine and Bejaia very soon.
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doudou 2012-8-1
The photo is not of the Bay of Algiers; it is just the beach in the district of Bab El Oued.
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Kahina 2012-7-29
Nice reading; even thought I remain bit skeptical if the reference of the project is the Metro, when we consider the huge delays and the controversy behind that one! In the other hand; I also believe very important to develop other cities; this will reduce the misery in so many different parts of this beautiful country. Plus they should also keep in mind that other Algerians outside Algiers deserve better daily lives!
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ياسين 2012-7-28
Yes, we are capable of transforming Oued El Harrach into a tourist and entertainment resort. Why not? This is because Algeria is more beautiful than the Gulf countries. The capital is located at the feet of mountains, green lands, dense trees, abundant waters and overlooks Europe while in the Gulf there is an arid desert. Projects launched by Algiers will turn it into a world capital. If you don’t know Algeria, we welcome you to visit it. Not only the capital, visit as well Costantine, Annaba, Oran, Sétif, Tlemcen, Mostaghanem, Oued Souf, Tiarete, Djelfa, Blida and other Algerian cities.
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hasene_sami 2012-7-27
This project can be realised, why not? Algerians need a decent life and dream of a capital like all capitals in the world. However, action should be in a civilised way.
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احمد 2012-7-27
It is a plan to seize 200 billion dollars deposited in foreign banks.
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