Alignment and extension planning for Bône
The two successive urban plans developed during the French colonial regime for Bône (now Annaba – Algeria), have never been analyzed. Yet not only are they highlights of Bône’s urban history, they also illustrate the application of classical models to urban design. Our article offers an overview of elements that can be used in comparing the two designs. An examination of both plans (the Gonssolin alignment plan of 1855 drawn up by the city architect, as well as the development, improvement and extension plan of 1932 designed by a team from the René Danger urban planning firm) reveals the extent to which they both conform to classical geometries (in their urban outlines, cadastral divisions, and streetfront buildings), while their designers worked in entirely different environments. In addition to design similarities between the two plans, we also identified continuities in terms of issues addressed and layouts proposed. But, while the Gonsollin plan reflects a mainly esthetic focus, the Danger plan has greater depth, in that it combines both an esthetic and functional approach that takes into account the existing city structure and also addresses traffic flow issues.