The nineteenth and early twentieth-century architectural heritage of North African cities embodies an important cultural exchange between the southern and northern Mediterranean. This heritage commonly lies adjacent to the old medinas, and has often been neglected in the drive to revitalise the historic centres of cities in this region. The Ville Nouvelle of Tunis was built when Tunisia was a French Protectorate and reflects a move from the urban patterns of the old medina to a grid plan that changed the character of the city. Planned around the strategic Avenue de la Marine (now Avenue Bourguiba), it contains outstanding historic landmarks such as the cathedral and the governor’s residence, in addition to theatres and the central market. The urban revitalisation plan, devised and spearheaded by the Association de Sauvegarde de la Médina de Tunis (ASM), has restructured the public spaces of the area and made them chiefly pedestrian. It has also listed and restored key monuments, which are once again in use. The ASM continues to actively guide institutions and individuals in the public and private sectors who wish to undertake preservation projects, in order to ensure overall quality and meet the objectives of the many stakeholders.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture