Public spaces in northern Algerian city centers are strongly shaped by a colonial urban legacy that no longer corresponds to contemporary local social practices. Originally designed to meet colonial needs, these spaces now face multiple forms of socio-spatial disengagement. The city center of Jijel, capital of the Jijel province (Algeria), represents a revealing case of the superimposition of colonial spatial structures onto a transformed social fabric with distinct patterns of use.
This study proposes a socio-spatial reading of public space appropriation based on the observation of everyday practices and social interactions within the city center of Jijel. It seeks to understand the underlying socio-spatial mechanisms that generate attraction, avoidance, or selective use of public spaces in this urban context.
The research adopts a mixed observational methodology combining multicriteria evaluation and floating observation. Spatial performances and patterns of use were assessed through a set of quantitative indicators, complemented by qualitative field notes and photographic documentation. Temporal variations were integrated into the analysis through repeated observations across multiple time periods and days of the week.
The results reveal a strong interdependence between spatial configurations, social practices, and everyday temporal rhythms. Rather than being determined solely by physical attributes, public space appropriation appears to be shaped by a combination of spatial conditions, perceived social meanings, and temporal dynamics. Significant contrasts were observed between spaces that support everyday sociability and those that generate forms of avoidance, highlighting the role of socio-spatial coherence in fostering appropriation.
By unveiling these socio-spatial dynamics, this study contributes a transferable analytical framework that can support more context-sensitive urban design and public space planning practices. It provides local urban designers, planners, and decision-makers with insights for improving the adaptability, inclusiveness, and socio-spatial performance of public spaces.
