Before colonization, Algeria was primarily a rural country with a nomadic and semi-nomadic population. However, significant changes occurred during and after the colonial era as modernization efforts were implemented. This paper provides a regional overview of Algeria’s pre-and post-millennium urban development based on census population data expressing the quantitative side of urbanization. Our analysis focuses on three aspects: regional structural tendencies of urbanization, sources of urban growth, and the current state of Algeria’s urban network. We contextualize our findings by comparing them with the existing literature and the priorities outlined in the country’s National Spatial Development Plan 2025. Our research suggests that: (1) First-stage (concentration) and second-stage (suburbanization) urbanization features, as well as internally and externally determined development, characterize Algeria’s urban network. (2) A decreasing and regionally differentiated urban growth rate indicating a moderate shift towards non-coastal regions and the above-average dynamics of large cities and smaller towns can be observed. (3) The significance of natural growth as a source of urbanization is higher than the contributions of rural-urban migration and new “de jure” towns. However, these factors are differentiated among the regions, highlighting the secondary role of rural-urban migration in the internal peripheries and the importance of new “de jure” towns in the densely populated and urbanized northern regions. (4) Algeria’s urban network is divided into three sharply differentiated zones that have experienced only moderate changes. We regard this shift toward a spatially more balanced urban network as a factor supporting but not guaranteeing sustainable development.

A külföldi működőtőkére alapozott kelet-közép-európai gazdaságfejlesztési politikák és a transznacionális vállalatoknak az EU fő piacaihoz közeli, költséghatékony gyártóhelyek keresésére irányuló stratégiái az elmúlt évtizedekben a régió globális/regionális termelési hálózatokba történő integrálódásához, ipari gyártó funkciójának erősödéséhez vezettek. Miközben az újraiparosodás intenzitása nagyban meghatározza a nagyvárosi régiókon kívüli térségek gazdasági növekedését és társadalmi-gazdasági egyenlőtlenségeit, többen megkérdőjelezik a duális gazdaság, a függő fejlődés és a közepes jövedelem csapdája irányába mutató modell hosszú távú sikerességét. A globális termelési hálózatokról született, kutatásunk elméleti alapját képező szakirodalom szerint az integráció mikéntjének vizsgálata a kulcs ahhoz, hogy megértsük e gazdasági modell potenciáliseredményeit. Úgy látszik, hogy a folyamat a globális-lokális interakciók minőségétől függ: ezek egyszerre alapulnak a vállalati stratégiákra és a különböző szintekhez kötődő “regionális” adottságokra és szereplőkre. Cikkünk egy periférikus kisváros két transznacionális vállalatának összehasonlító elemzésére fókuszál: a globális-lokális kapcsolatok és azok helyi fejlődésre gyakorolt hatásainak értelmezésére elemzési keretként a stratégiai összekapcsolódás koncepcióját használjuk. Másodlagos és elsődleges forrásokra épülő munkánkban a helyi környezet adottságait és kulcsszereplőit vizsgáljuk, követjük a leányvállalatok fejlődését (feljebb lépési pályáit), illetve elemezzük lokális/regionális társadalmi-gazdasági integrációjuk dimenzióit és mélységét. Esettanulmányunk a tematikus szám céljaihoz azzal járul hozzá, hogy feltárja a stratégiai összekapcsolódás dinamikáját és minőségét, illetve körüljárja a fejlesztéspolitikai szempontból előnyösebb kimenetek elérésének esélyeit korlátozott és zsugorodó helyi humán erőforrásokkal rendelkező periférikus környezetben.

This study investigates shopping malls as multifunctional urban actors shaping economic, social, and spatial dynamics in rapidly developing urban contexts, moving beyond approaches that conceptualize them primarily as isolated economic entities. Using Ritaj Mall in Ali Mendjeli as a case study, the research adopts a mixed-methods design operationalized through three key dimensions: economic permeability, social inclusivity, and spatial connectivity, combining structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and systematic field observations, informed by a pilot study. The findings, supported by a central framework of testable propositions, demonstrate that the mall operates as a major commercial and leisure hub, contributing to local economic vitality, transforming consumption practices, and influencing surrounding spatial configurations. At the same time, its expansion generates urban pressures, including traffic congestion, progressive residential–commercial transformation, and emerging tensions related to housing affordability. Interpreted through Lefebvre’s spatial triad, the study advances a theoretical understanding of shopping malls as both products and producers of urban space, linking everyday practices of consumption and mobility to broader processes of spatial production. These insights underscore the importance of integrated urban planning strategies that acknowledge the multifunctional role of shopping malls while balancing economic development with social inclusion, spatial equity, and long-term urban livability.

This paper investigates the conditions and consequences of integrating small towns into industrial production networks. It is based on empirical research conducted in Algeria, a hydrocarbon-dependent rentier economy characterized by significant regional inequalities and the political aims of economic diversification and spatial rebalancing. Elaborating the case study of a state-owned cement factory in the small town of Sigus, the research provides insights into the multiple roles of the state in shaping production network integration and the characteristics of small towns as economic locations. The methodology combines secondary data and information with primary research based on semi-structured interviews. It reveals the importance of a multi-scalar regional framework in production network integration, whereby national factors played a key role due to the centralized Algerian state, the state-owned character of the investing company, and the shortcomings of the small town’s local environment. It emphasizes the contradictory impacts of production network integration in economic, social, and environmental terms, primarily on a local level. These contradictions underscore the necessity for critical evaluations to maximize the benefits of production network integration while mitigating its adverse effects. They also call for the more consistent involvement of the local community in similar economic development decisions. Notably, this research contributes significantly to the existing body of literature by addressing the underexplored topic of integrating small towns into production networks within the Algerian context. Doing so offers a more nuanced understanding of the particular economic, social, and environmental dynamics at play in these locations, thereby enriching the discourse on economic development strategies for small towns in rentier economies like Algeria.

This paper examines the economic landscape of Algeria, characterized by a dominant state sector, substantial hydrocarbon resources, and ongoing diversification efforts. It highlights the significant role of the private sector, which comprises approximately 98% of economic entities, primarily small and micro-enterprises. The findings reveal that these smaller businesses are crucial for economic activity, yet they face numerous challenges, including limited access to finance and uneven market dynamics influenced by regional disparities. Through quantitative analysis of the latest Algerian Economic Census, the paper maps the distribution of economic activities across Algeria's provinces and small and medium-sized towns (SMSTs), illustrating varying levels of development and the predominance of certain sectors, notably trade and construction. The study underscores the concentration of economic entities in major urban centers, such as Algiers, Constantine, and Oran, while exposing the underdevelopment in southern provinces. Policy implications emphasize the need for targeted interventions to promote balanced growth, enhance infrastructure, support SMEs, and address the disparities that hinder inclusive development. Ultimately, this research provides insights into Algeria's economic dynamics and recommends fostering sustainable growth across its diverse regions, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on economic diversification and regional development in emerging economies.

This study investigates the pivotal role of innovation in shopping malls, which is integral to their success within the competitive retail environment. As consumer expectations evolve, malls must transcend conventional models by incorporating sustainability, advanced technologies, and personalized experiences. The research focuses on these dynamics through fieldwork and visitor surveys conducted at Retaj and Yes Malls in Ali Mendjeli City, Algeria. A comprehensive analytical framework evaluates dimensions such as multifunctionality, sustainability, technological integration, and community engagement. Employing a mixed-methods approach with 100 valid questionnaires, the study examines visitor preferences, particularly in the post-COVID-19 context. The findings underscore visitors' emphasis on eco-friendly features and highlight the multifunctional nature of malls as spaces for shopping, entertainment, services, and social interaction, supported by rigorous chi-square analysis. Technological innovations are classified into two categories: enhancing the shopping experience and fostering customer engagement, with a particular focus on entertainment that reflects local cultural contexts. Accessibility emerges as a key factor, with proximity to public transportation significantly increasing mall attractiveness. While respondents value technological advancements, they prefer a hybrid approach that combines augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) with traditional in-person shopping experiences. This equilibrium sustains malls' roles as social hubs, ensuring community engagement while embracing modern innovation.