This article examines the impact of urban vegetation on outdoor thermal comfort in the hot and dry city of Biskra, Algeria. The study employs the ENVI-met model to simulate various vegetation arrangement scenarios and evaluate their effectiveness in improving microclimate parameters and thermal comfort. The results show that the scenario with the densest and most extensive vegetation cover (90% of the sample area) provided the greatest reduction in air temperature, mean radiant temperature, and duration of severe thermal stress, compared to the baseline scenario with minimal vegetation. However, even the best-performing scenario did not achieve a thermally comfortable outdoor environment, likely due to the heat-absorbing properties of the asphalt ground and the reduced wind speeds caused by the dense vegetation. The study highlights the importance of considering vegetation type, cover density, and strategic placement in urban planning to mitigate the harsh climatic conditions in hot and dry cities like Biskra.

In the vernacular housing, the courtyard is the main structural space, whether by its location, function, or symbolism. The experience of El Miniawy brothers in their project "124 logements CNEP" at Biskra with its typology was promoted as "the alternative" to the conventional and traditional "courtyard house." It was reformulated as a new multi-housing typology. Their approach is based on the conversion of the traditional house’s organisation around the "courtyard" from a horizontal to a vertical one in the contemporary house. This vision is argued by its designers as being inspired by local life way, to reformulate the "courtyard" space in a contemporary living environment. The present paper is an investigation that aims to evaluate this experimental project and see if it succeeded in convincing its residents as an alternative to both conventional contemporary housing and vernacular one. The study is based on two approaches. A literature review of the architects’ arguments to promote the typology they suggest and a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of their project, applied in two steps. The first is observation through architectural surveys and photography, and the second is a questionnaire distributed to project residents. As a main result of the confrontation of the environmental intentions of the architects, with the results of the post-occupancy evaluation, the study showed that the conceptual approach adopted for these "courtyard houses" did not give the results expected by its designers. This was manifested through several parameters studied, but mainly by the declared uses, which are very restricted compared to those provided by the courtyard in the vernacular habitation.

This study investigates the impact of green spaces on enhancing the thermal microclimate of the Biskra University campus, located in a hot and arid urban environment in southeastern Algeria. Through an experimental approach, air temperature, relative humidity, and airspeed were measured at five distinct points, each representing varying vegetation characteristics. The results reveal that vegetation significantly reduces ambient temperatures, with differences of up to 2.6°C observed between measurement sites. Key findings indicate that cooling efficiency is influenced by several factors, including the type and density of vegetation, the time of day, exposure to solar radiation, and the nature of surrounding surfaces. Among vegetation types, trees demonstrated greater cooling effectiveness than grass, particularly when densely planted. The study concludes that strategic vegetation placement, combined with additional shading structures such as pergolas and well-planned spatial orientation, can significantly improve microclimatic conditions in arid urban environments. These findings underscore the potential of integrating green spaces into urban planning to mitigate heat and enhance thermal comfort in challenging climates.

This paper explores the neo-vernacular architectural approach in arid regions of Algeria, focusing on its implementation by architects Hani Hassan and Abdel Rahman El Miniawy. The study assesses how this approach blends traditional vernacular principles with modern architectural techniques to address contemporary needs while preserving cultural identity. It critically examines several projects by the El Miniawy brothers, utilizing methodologies such as post-occupancy evaluation and textual analysis to evaluate the sustainability, cultural adherence, and practical functionality of the buildings. The paper underscores the importance of understanding local contexts and integrating end-users' needs into the architectural design process, highlighting that successful neo-vernacular architecture requires a deep engagement with both the environment and the cultural landscape of the area. The findings suggest that while the neo-vernacular approach holds significant potential for sustainable and culturally sensitive development, its application faces challenges that must be carefully managed to ensure the effectiveness and acceptance of architectural solutions.