Analysis of the Influence of Urban Morphology and Environmental Atmospheres on the User Experience: The Mawlid in Beni Abbes (Algeria)

Abstract

This contribution examines the influence of urban morphology and environmental atmospheres on users’ phenomenological experience during a mass gathering in an arid region: the Mawlid commemoration in Beni Abbes (Algeria). In an extreme climate characterised by temperatures soaring to 43°C, this festival transforms the public space into a veritable arena of physical and sensory challenges. The primary aim of the research is to assess the environmental carrying capacity of the ritual route by correlating the constraints of the built environment with the subjective perceptions of the social actors. The methodological approach is based on a qualitative investigation using the ‘go along’ technique, supplemented by on-site measurements of temperature, noise and topography.

The analysis highlights structural and systemic congestion along the route, where the limited capacity of built infrastructure and the rugged terrain create major physical bottlenecks. These spatial constraints force participants to adopt deviant strategies and evasive tactics in order to escape the physical oppression and atmospheric pollution generated by gunpowder explosions (baroud). In contrast, the vernacular architecture of the old Ksar demonstrates exceptional thermal resilience, acting as a protective shelter against solar radiation. At the same time, cultural buildings and rest areas created through community solidarity play a fundamental regulatory role as places of refuge, thereby tempering the sensory and climatic stress experienced by users. In conclusion, the study emphasises that environmental viability is a prerequisite for the sustainability of the Mawlid. The preservation of this global heritage must necessarily include climate resilience and the liveability of transitional spaces in order to ensure the safety of participants.