Algeria to destroy shanty towns within 24 months, says minister

Algerian housing minister Abdelmadjid Teboune Wednesday said 380,000 houses in shanty towns in 48 provinces will be destroyed by 2015 and old cities will be rehabilitated.

“People living in shanty towns who have been registered since 2007 will benefit from underway projects. The towns will be immediately destroyed,” the minister told a press conference in Algiers.

Speaking about old cities rehabilitation, he added an Algerian-Spanish joint bureau was created to conduct the operation.

“People who want to leave the old cities will obtain new houses. Those who want to stay will get money to repair their houses though it would be better if they understand that the destruction is necessary.”