Some learnings Gyoji Banshoya acquired from the spatial composition of the ancient shantytown of Mahieddine, in 1950's Algiers: Research on dwelling practice around the “bidonville (shantytown)” project in Algiers during the Late Colonial Period, Part 1

• Main Author: Kosuke Matsubara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2021-04-01
• Series: Japan Architectural Review
• Subjects: ATBAT; Cités de Recasement; Fernand Pouillon; Gerald Hanning; Jacques Chevallier
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/2475-8876.12203

Abstract This paper aims to consider how Gyoji Banshoya's planning idea was formed through analysis of the panels presented by CIAM‐Alger in Aix‐en‐Province in 1953 on a shantytown called Mahieddine, which is defined as a primary source related to Banshoya's activities on the French side. At first, the points of his article “Apartments in Algeria” are summarized as the four criteria for analyzing of CIAM‐Alger's presentation panel. Then, CIAM‐Alger's presentation panel on Mahieddine is analyzed from the abovementioned four criteria where I discuss that they should be defined as dwelling practices of residents. Based on that, the realization of the Mahieddine project comprising of a “Cité de Recasement” and “HLM (Habitation à loyer modéré)” apartments, is examined. In conclusion, I indicate that Banshoya adopted the “courtyard,” “WCs and showers,” and “sight line planning.” Therefore, it is certain that he understood the importance of the Muslim tradition of privacy as well as improvement in sanitary conditions. Finally, I show some issues related to the further research framework centering around the “evolution” and modern urban planning, to reconsider the work of Gyoji Banshoya in Middle Eastern cities.