 The Sidi El Houari neighbourhood in Oran 
Sidi El Houari, the historic district of the city of Oran, is at the heart of political, socio-economic and identity issues which involve several stakeholders with divergent interests and contrasting visions. The destruction of parts of the built heritage of the neighborhood was met with opposition from the public. This destruction was perceived as an irreversible rupture of residential land use, forcing the displacement of the working class, and as a gradual removal of the spirit and collective memory of the place. Despite the government’s failure to solicit public participation in urban planning, citizens mobilized and were able to make a difference in the heritage-making process of Sidi El Houari. While the impact was modest, one can conclude that the obstacles to public participation can find their origin in a still immature heritage governance.