Vol. 119 No. 2 (2025)
Research Papers

Rethinking Territorial Governance in Mountain Areas: the case Study of the Bibans Massif (Algeria)

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  • Salah Chouaki,
  • Fouad Chehat,
  • Mohamed Benedir
Salah Chouaki
Higher National School of Agronomy of Algeria, Algiers, Algeria
Fouad Chehat
Higher National School of Agronomy of Algeria, Algiers, Algeria
Mohamed Benedir
National Institute of Agronomic Research of Algeria, Algiers, Algeria
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/jaeid-18333

Published 2025-12-30

Keywords

  • Bibans,
  • decentralisation,
  • governance,
  • mountain areas,
  • resilience,
  • participatory approach,
  • sustainable development
    • ...More
    Less

How to Cite

Chouaki, S., Chehat, F., & Benedir, M. (2025). Rethinking Territorial Governance in Mountain Areas: the case Study of the Bibans Massif (Algeria). Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development (JAEID), 119(2), 219–236. https://doi.org/10.36253/jaeid-18333

Copyright (c) 2025 Salah Chouaki, Fouad Chehat, Mohamed Benedir

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

This article analyzes the complexity of territorial governance in Algerian mountain areas through a case study of the Bibans massif. It reveals a dynamic of territorial devitalization despite a rich potential, primarily due to a sectoral and centralized management often disconnected from local realities. By mobilizing a combined approach based on the MED/SLA model (Mountain Ecosystem Development/Sustainable Livelihoods Approach) and a multi-level participatory method, this study highlights the persistence of hybrid forms of governance, combining resilient traditional community institutions and local self-organization initiatives. It assesses community resilience dynamics in the face of structural challenges, emphasizing the importance of social capital and vernacular knowledge. The findings advocate for a rethinking of territorial governance, grounded in the recognition and valorization of local capacities for sustainable and inclusive development.

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