The Arrival of the Tramway in Algeria: What Impacts on the City? Case Studies of the Oran and Constantine Tramways

With the introduction of tramway systems in major cities, the Algerian government aims to promote the urban transport sector and foster opportunities for development within the urban fabric through the transitions and effects of tramway projects. Oran and Constantine, the capital cities of Western and Eastern Algeria respectively, are two regional metropolises that catalyze dynamic growth in their surrounding territories by providing employment opportunities and essential services. The implementation of tramway lines in Oran and Constantine has led to several significant changes: an enhancement of the transportation network, a revitalization of neighborhoods traversed by the tramway, and shifts in mobility behaviors, particularly towards sustainability. By adopting a comparative approach and referring to fieldwork, this article attempts to identify the effects of the tramways on the cities of Oran and Constantine. The objective is to identify the transitions induced by the arrival of this new infrastructure, including socio-ecological, urban, and economic impacts, as well as impacts on urban transportation.