The impact of residents’ socio-economic changes on the morphological transformation of housing estates. Case study: the Bon Accueil housing estate in Guelma, Algeria

The transformations taking place in suburban housing developments are marked by rapid and obviousevolution, both in the urban landscape and in architecture. Therefore, it is essential to understand and evaluate these changes in order to determine their influence on these housing complexes. The purpose of this research aims to explore the connections between morphological and socio-economic changes in the Bon Accueil housing estate, which is located in the heart of Guelma city in northeastern Algeria. To achieve this, a comprehensive sociological field study was conducted using a survey. The collected data was statistically analyzed using SPSS software. On-site alterations to the built environment were categorized into four types: demolition and reconstruction, home extension, minor alterations and embellishments, and fence changes. According to the statistical analysis, these modifications are associated with socio-economic developments. Each form of transformation in the built environment corresponds to a number of socio-economic indicators, including family structure, the number of families per dwelling, the occupation of the household head, inheritance, the type of housing occupation, increases in land and property values, and social rules. The results indicate that adapting the living environment to family projects results in continual evolution: as the family solves new difficulties and meets new needs, the building expands and becomes more complex, reflecting a dynamic lifestyle.