Transforming Cities Through Heritage: a Decision-making Tool to Identify and Leverage Cultural Assets in the Bay of Algiers
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Heritage plays a pivotal role in strengthening the tourism sector and, by extension, in contributing to the economic vitality of cities. This study evaluates the heritage value of municipalities within the Bay of Algiers by applying a decisionmaking framework grounded in Multi-Attribute Value Theory (MAVT). The research develops and operationalizes a systematic tool to measure heritage value, classifies the municipalities according to their respective scores, showing that only three of the nine municipalities achieved a positive rating, and identifies key barriers that limit the effective valorization of heritage resources. The robustness of the results was verified through a comprehensive validation process. A high consensus rate among experts (87.2%) confirms the reliability of the assessment. The low Consistency Ratio (CR = 0.4%) and Global Consistency Index (GCI = 0.02) demonstrate methodological soundness, while sensitivity and robustness analyses further emphasize the stability of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model applied. Statistical validation, including a 95% confidence interval (0.056–0.352) and a standard error of 0.075, strengthens the credibility of the findings. The outcomes of this research not only highlight municipalities with significant heritage potential but also provide critical insights for policymakers. By adopting proactive and evidence-based strategies, public authorities can safeguard, enhance, and transform these cultural assets into globally competitive tourism destinations, thereby reinforcing sustainable urban development.
Author: Karim CHENIKI
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7160056728