Impact of the urbanization on coastal dune: Case of Kharrouba, west of Algeria

• Main Authors: RACHIDA SENOUCI, NASR-EDDINE TAIBI
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro 2019-03-01
• Series: Journal of Sedimentary Environments
• Subjects: algeria; coast; dune; impact; urbanization; sig
• Online Access: https://www.e-publicacoes.uerj.br/index.php/jse/article/view/39951

Despite the coming into force of the Algerian Littoral Law 02/2002, which aimed the protection of the coast and a sustainable use of its resources, construction projects have been authorized on brittle unstable lithology. Relating to this, Kharrouba experienced a tremendous change during the period 2004-2012 due to a massive urbanization. Accordingly, expert’s reports concerning the sustainability of construction projects as required by the Law 01-03-2003, were not sufficient. In this work, we analyzed the morphological coastal transformation of Kharrouba between 1989 and 2016 with particular interest in the decline of the dune due to a strong urban growth. For this purpose, a topographic map and Google Earth Pro pictures were used and processed in a geographical information system (SIG). The results of the diachronic analysis and the evolution of the coastal dune showed that the dune surface increased 23.82 % between 1989 and 2004; a period marked by a low construction activity. On the other hand, the surface of the dune regressed 59.67% during the period 2004-2012 that coincided with a major flat construction for the local population and secondary for the tourism. In addition to the environmental impact, the degradation of the dune led to more erosion, sediment balance disturbance of the beach, and coastal risk susceptibility. Moreover, the study area already experienced two landslides between 2012 and 2014 with negative socioeconomic consequences. A sustainable development of the coastal zone in Kharrouba and the province of Mostaganem should consider the environment and its protection as inevitable conditions for long-term economic activities. Therefore, the stakeholder of this region should comply with the existing laws regarding the preservation of the dune and the respect of the legally fixed distance between the coastline and a planned construction project.