Devalorization of Spanish fotifications, case of canatel gate

Abstract

Oran is one of the Algerian cities marked by Spanish occupations where several fortifications were realized, that counted on several forts and gates, of which some could survive in the face of the change of power, and the natural events. Among them, we find the Canastel gate, precisely in SIDI EL HOUARI, which represents the city historic center, located in the north-west, between the flank of MURDJADJO, and the sea. The earthquake and the Turkish and French occupations caused destructions and transformations on these fortifications. A deep urban restructuring was carried out by integrating this gate into a residential building to mark an opening that traverses it, vulgarizing it, marking its space appropriation, and illustrating its power and autocracy. Today, the change of control is not being more beneficial to the gate. Abandoned, the heterogeneous structure (building and gate) presents important signs of degradation, and threat of demolition. In addition, it is totally unknown in society, and is completely devalued because of the socio-economic, legal, and cultural contexts that the city lives, and that materialize in the form of several aggressions leaving it fight to survive in an environment that is aimed at demolishing.