FROM SOCIAL HOUSING TO HERITAGE: ASSESSING THE ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY AND HERITAGE VALUES OF MODERNIST LARGE HOUSING ESTATES IN ORAN (1950–1962), ALGERIA

Introduction. Thus far, no study has systematically developed criteria for assessing the heritage value of social housing as a built legacy, despite their significant role in shaping urban and architectural identity. The purpose of this study aims to identify and evaluate the architectural significance of such estates, with the goal of informing strategies for their potential preservation and contributing to broader reflections on heritage production. In this context, a comparative assessment was carried out on four large housing estates in the city of Oran, selected based on key factors including the architect’s reputation, the diversity of urban forms, and the mixed designation of housing for both Muslim and European communities, which reflects the complex social and historical fabric of the city. The research adopts a Mixed Methods Research (MMR) approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative data to provide a comprehensive assessment. The qualitative component relied on semi-structured interviews, allowing for the identification of new evaluation criteria grounded in expert and local knowledge. The quantitative component involved 200 questionnaires distributed to two groups’ inhabitants and professionals whose responses were systematically analyzed using ATLAS.ti software to reveal patterns and perceptions regarding heritage value. Findings from this comparative study indicate that heritage values vary across cases depending on the relevance of specific criteria, highlighting the importance of selecting contextually meaningful indicators. These criteria not only influence the evaluation of each estate but also inform heritage conservation strategies tailored to local urban and social contexts. Ultimately, the study provides essential reference points for the recognition, appreciation, and preservation of Algerian domestic architecture from the second half of the twentieth century, offering insights that may guide similar assessments in other urban contexts.