Impact of gendered female space on the sustainability of the architectural and urban heritage: the case of the M'Zab Valley
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2044-1266
Article publication date: 21 December 2023
Abstract
Purpose
In the M'Zab Valley, women have long remained confined to their domestic sphere and are invisible in outdoor spaces. This study aims to analyse the use of public and private spaces by the women of Ksar El Atteuf, particularly after the significant changes that society has undergone.
Design/methodology/approach
This study examines the role of gender in the daily life of an urban community in the M'Zab Valley in Algeria through semi-structured interviews with relevant experts and a survey of 100 Mozabite women. It focuses on their roles and views regarding using spaces and maintaining Mozabite heritage.
Findings
Social and religious norms influence women's utilisation, behaviour and roles in gendered spaces. Most women consider their place to be within the house but refuse to live primitively. Education and work have enabled them to emerge outdoors. The results also showed that owing to the restrictions imposed on women, 60% of them emphasised the need to express their opinions and make decisions, and 26% asked for more opportunities and spaces.
Originality/value
This study broadens understanding of Mozabite society and its architectural and urban heritage. The empirical study surveyed women and conducted interviews with experts. This is valuable, particularly, given the challenges of studying gender in conservative cultural settings.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the OPMV for providing them with the necessary information (maps, books) for their research. They would like also to thank Madrasat Abi Salem, Institut Al Djabiria, the culture direction of Ghardaia and a member in Azzaba as well as OPVM for their considerable help and effort for the distribution and collection of the questionnaires. They want to thank the ETAP (Environment and Technology for Architecture and Cultural Heritage) laboratory of the University Saad Dahleb Blida 1 for its limitless assistance, and the DGRSDT for its support to the researchers and the considerable effort for the update of the reviews.
Citation
Naili, K. and Dahmani, K. (2023), "Impact of gendered female space on the sustainability of the architectural and urban heritage: the case of the M'Zab Valley", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-11-2022-0194
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited