Towards the authentication of urban pattern through fractal analysis: the case of Blida, Algeria

Abstract

This paper discusses the use of fractals to identify and analyze the historical values of an urban fabric. The proposed fractal analysis is a novel contribution to valorize a historical fabric as urban heritage. The research focuses on the historical core of Blida, Algeria, and concerns the development of its built fabric over three centuries. The aim is to compare morphological parameters, frequently used to evaluate the fractal dimension of built surfaces, to determine the fabric’s authenticity based on the calculated spatial variations. The findings indicate that the fractal dimension effectively distinguishes Blida’s historical core fabric. Fractal analysis is demonstrated to be a promising tool in this study for describing the form of historical fabrics as well as studying intra- urban genesis and simulation for use as an urban identification tool.