CAMP "Algerian Coastal Area" (Algeria)

The CAMP for the Algerian coastal area has been formulated upon request of the Algerian Government made in the 10th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention in 1995. Preparatory activities for the formulation of the CAMP were launched that same year with the preparation of a feasibility study by the ISMAL (Institut des Sciences de la Mer et de l'Aménagement du Littoral). A number of BP/MAP missions, and a joint meeting of the BP, PAP and Algerian experts (September 2001) enabled reaching an agreement between the Algerian Government and UNEP relative to this CAMP. The agreement was signed in Algiers on October 7, 2001.

Project area

The CAMP comprises a coastal area 115 kms long, stretching between the bay of Bou-Ismail in the east and the bay of Chenoua in the west. The area covers a surface of 447,173 ha on the land, and 80,000 ha of the sea bottom, amounting to a total of 5,271.73 sq. km. According to the 1998 census, the population amounted to 4,267,727 inhabitants, of which 2,562,430 in the wilaya of Algiers . The CAMP area contains 125 municipalities distributed as follows: 58 in the wilaya of Algiers , 25 in the wilaya of Blida , 24 in the wilaya of Boumerdes, and 18 in the wilaya of Tipaza. From the physical and natural points of view, the bays of Bou-Ismail, Algiers and Zemmouri make a continuous marine front to a hinterland composed of three distinct, yet functionally interdependent natural zones: the plain of Mitidja, the hills of Sahel , and the coastal plains .

Principal problems

Uncontrolled human influence on the coastal area, which is increasingly spreading to the adjacent areas as well, is at the origin of numerous environmental problems, the most prominent being the following:

· strong urbanisation,

· overexploitation of resources (material, agricultural, coastal sites, etc.),

· urban, industrial and agricultural pollution,

· coastal erosion,

· degradation of natural and cultural sites.

Envisaged activities

Five priority thematic activities have been identified within the CAMP Algeria :

· control of urbanisation and of artificialisation of the soils,

· pollution combating relevant to sanitation and solid wastes,

· integrated management of water resources,

· protection of sensitive natural and cultural sites,

· integrated coastal area management.

These activities are supported by four, so called, transversal activities:

· information system,

· sustainability analysis,

· training and participation,

· financing strategy.

Expected results

The results of each thematic and transversal activity have been defined within the CAMP Agreement and will be presented in a separate final report.

Also, a number of strategic documents will be prepared by a team of national experts assisted by PAP and BP experts, namely:

· a prospective strategy of sustainability,

· a strategy of concrete actions,

· a portfolio on financing and investments necessary for short-, medium- and long-term operations,

· recommendations for the definition of a policy for sustainable coastal area management,

· a proposal of follow-up activities.

 

Publications/Documents