La Ville Nouvelle

La Ville Nouvelle, a term meaning "new city," refers to settlements established in Algeria, particularly during French colonial rule and later through government agrarian reform programs. These settlements often had geometric layouts and replicated French village designs, serving as service centers in rural areas. The Algerian War of Independence led to the destruction of many villages and the creation of resettlement centers. In the 1970s, the government constructed "socialist villages" as part of an agrarian reform, though this program was later abandoned in favor of private development. Urbanization also increased significantly, with coastal towns like Algiers growing due to port and industrial activities. The rural exodus led to overcrowded cities with mixed populations.12