Urban Public Art and Spatial Identity in Algerian Cities: Insights from Laghouat

Abstract

This article examines urban public art as a key component of Algerian cities, considering public space as a platform for both formal initiatives led by local authorities and associations and informal, citizen-driven interventions. Using a field-based methodology, the city of Laghouat was selected as a case study to analyze artistic practices across different neighborhoods. A hybrid research approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods was applied, drawing on multiple data sources and supported by the production of location maps and detailed records of public artworks. The findings reveal a significant presence of public art that can be classified through a typology based on legal status, artistic nature, spatial location, and construction materials. The study concludes that effective urban, architectural, and technical supervision is essential to limit the ephemeral and informal character of public art interventions and to enhance their long-term contribution to urban quality and cultural identity.