The practice of urban planning and development in Algeria is currently facing major challenges related to the production and management of urban spaces, including uncontrolled urban sprawl, the spread of informal housing, the deterioration of the built environment, the rapid growth of large urban agglomerations, and the decline in quality of life. In addition, new global challenges concerning urban planning and the production of urban spaces must be addressed, such as the implementation of sustainable development measures, the improvement of quality of life, and environmental protection.

The chaotic situation of urban production in Algeria requires the establishment of new strategic and innovative practices for designing, producing, supporting, and controlling urban and territorial planning processes. The diversity of actions required in this context calls for the involvement of multidisciplinary stakeholders in the fields of urban and architectural planning, including urban planners.

The training program proposed by the Department of Urban Planning at the Institute of Architecture and Urbanism of Blida 1 University responds to two major needs:

• Diversifying urban planning training programs in the central region of the country, where such programs are currently lacking.
• Meeting the urgent need for specialists in urban production, namely urban planners.

Our training offer is part of this approach, providing specialized and updated education in urban planning closely linked to sustainable territorial development. The main objectives of this program are:

• Establishing new practices for the production and management of urban development projects that integrate the principles of sustainable development.
• Training professionals capable of supporting urban transformations in Algerian cities.
• Responding to the evolving needs of the socio-economic context and the labor market at both regional and national levels.

This Academic Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning is designed to meet the regional demand for qualified urban planning professionals, due to the absence of such training programs in the central region, and to prepare graduates capable of supporting the transformation of urban territories in central Algeria.

The importance of this program also lies in its close relationship with architectural education, particularly during the first year (L1), which promotes multidisciplinary and complementary training alongside that of architects. This new program benefits from the pedagogical, professional, and research experience of the Institute’s teaching staff.