VILLE NOUVELLE BOUGHEZOUL
WILAYA DE MÉDÉA
Algeria
Ville Nouvelle Boughezoul (VNB) is a signature “satellite city” project located 170 km south of Algiers in the High Plateaus region. Spanning approximately 19,500 hectares (with a 6,000-hectare urban core), it is designed to alleviate the extreme population density of the northern coastal regions. By 2035, it aims to house 350,000 to 400,000 inhabitants and create over 122,000 jobs, serving as a strategic link between Algeria’s North and South.
Managed by the Public Establishment for the New City of Boughezoul (EPIC-VNB), the project is situated at the intersection of the Trans-Saharan Highway and National Highway 40. The master plan, originally envisioned by architect Ricardo Bofill and later refined through South Korean expertise, features a chequered board of 28 districts. A standout feature is the 28-kilometre network of utility tunnels (technological galleries) for electricity, fibre optics, and water, which are already completed. The city is built around a 2,000-hectare natural lake and includes a massive industrial zone for high-tech research, renewable energy, and biotechnology. Recent updates in 2025–2026 indicate a push for private investment, with over 75 land plots recently opened to developers.
Future Cities criteria compliance
Environmental & Nature
The city is designed to be an “Ecological City,” with 25% of the urban area dedicated to green space, including a 135-hectare central park. It leverages the region’s high solar potential (3,000 hours of sun/year) and wind speeds to power a hybrid solar-wind power plant.
Smart City
Designated as Algeria’s first “Smart City,” VNB integrates “e-government” services including e-health, e-security, and e-transportation. The completed underground technical galleries allow for infrastructure maintenance without disrupting road traffic, a hallmark of modern urban efficiency.
Human-Centric
The plan emphasises “massive small” urbanism principles, prioritising walkability and public transit over car dependency. It includes 13 residential quarters with diverse housing typologies, university campuses, and a medical district to ensure a high quality of life for all residents.
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