Saharan Heritage as a Lever for Tourism Development in Algeria: The CAPTERRE as a Model for Integrated Heritage Valorization

Abstract

The Algerian Sahara is home to an exceptionally rich earthen architectural heritage, rooted in vernacular knowledge and long-standing adaptation to desert conditions. Despite its strong potential for local development through cultural tourism, this heritage remains endangered due to rapid urbanization, the decline of traditional techniques, and fragmented conservation efforts. Based on a qualitative approach combining documentary analysis and the case study of the Algerian Center for Earthen Built Cultural Heritage (CAPTERRE), this article explores the conditions for an integrated and sustainable valorization of Saharan heritage. By intersecting institutional strategies and local initiatives, it highlights both the contributions and the limitations of a patrimonial governance model that links preservation, knowledge transmission, and territorial development.