Annual Report on SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and ommunities University of El Oued
Introduction
In its commitment to the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 11, the University of El Oued advances the development of sustainable urban environments through initiatives that promote cultural access, safeguard heritage, and implement sustainable campus practices, thereby making a substantial contribution to national and regional sustainability efforts.
Research
Assessing drinking water quality in Eloued, south-East Algeria, using the groundwater pollution index (GPI) and the synthetic pollution index (SPI) model
The degradation of groundwater quality is a critical global issue, especially in arid, developing regions reliant on this resource. This study evaluates the potability of groundwater from the Terminal Complex aquifer in Eloued, southeastern Algeria, a region experiencing rapid, unplanned urbanization. We employed the Groundwater Pollution Index (GPI) and Synthetic Pollution Index (SPI), supported by multivariate statistics and GIS, on data from 22 deep wells.
Results indicate the groundwater is saline, with a dominant chemical facies of Na⁺-Ca²⁺-Cl⁻-SO₄²⁻ and ion concentrations surpassing WHO drinking water standards. Principal Component Analysis suggests water chemistry is primarily controlled by carbonate and evaporite dissolution, silicate alteration, and evaporation. The GPI classified 27.27% of samples as heavily polluted, while the SPI classified 18.18% as seriously polluted. Spatially, both indices show that safe drinking water is restricted to the northeastern part of the study area. These findings highlight a severe water quality crisis and the imperative for immediate management interventions.
Long-term performance of wastewater gardens: follow-up on the status of the wastewater garden in Temacine – Algeria
This work presents a long-term performance analysis of a small Wastewater Garden (WWG) system with a Horizontal Subsurface Flow (HFCW) that has been operational since 2007, treating 15 m³/day of municipal wastewater. Over 15 years, the system achieved high average removal efficiencies: 90.76% (TSS), 85.12% (COD), 89.43% (BOD₅), 66.87% (NO₂⁻), 94.74% (NO₃⁻), and 94.74% (PO₄³⁻). A key finding is the enhanced performance during 2018-2022, where removal rates for BOD₅, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, and PO₄³⁻ were significantly higher than in the initial years, while COD removal remained stable. The study confirms the system’s long-term viability and recommends it as an efficient, nature-based solution for small communities, particularly in arid areas.
Design and Performance Evaluation of a Novel Solar Dryer for Drying Potatoes in the Eastern Algerian Sahara
This study presents the experimental testing of a novel solar crop dryer featuring an inverted absorber perforated collector with forced airflow. The system was constructed and evaluated under the climatic conditions of El Oued, eastern Algeria, for drying potatoes. The dryer achieved an average chamber temperature of 50°C, reducing the moisture content of potatoes from 84.17% to 12.5% within six hours. Performance metrics included a maximum specific moisture extraction rate of 1.074 g water/kWh, drying efficiencies of 20.37–34.01%, and exergy efficiencies of 58.48–93.22%. An economic analysis revealed a payback period of 1.39 years, with total savings of approximately $13.92 over the dryer’s lifespan. Compared to an electric oven, the solar dryer offers savings of $11.69 in electricity costs and avoids $2.235 in CO₂ emission penalties, demonstrating its economic and environmental viability.
Environmental resilience through artificial intelligence: innovations in monitoring and management
This review explores the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in environmental monitoring and preservation. It traces the evolution of AI technology before delving into its specific applications for analyzing remote sensing imagery, covering challenges and solutions in pixel-level analysis, object detection, and semantic interpretation. The paper further examines AI’s impact on environmental control processes, including wastewater treatment and solid waste management, and highlights its value in developing early-warning systems for proactive threat mitigation. The analysis concludes that AI significantly enhances accuracy, adaptability, and real-time decision-making, establishing it as a cornerstone for a sustainable and resilient future.
Strength and Limitation of Nature-Based Solutions Towards Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change in Developing Countries
Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer significant potential to reduce urban susceptibility to climate change and enhance resilience by expanding blue and green infrastructure. These solutions can mitigate the worst climate impacts while providing municipalities with proactive adaptation opportunities. This chapter examines the diverse applications of NbS for climate change adaptation and mitigation in urban settings, identifying metrics to gauge their efficacy and corresponding knowledge gaps. We also analyze current obstacles and future opportunities for scaling up NbS implementation. We emphasize three priorities for future scientific and policy agendas: (1) generating more compelling evidence for NbS to raise awareness and drive implementation; (2) employing reflexive governance techniques that forge new networks among citizens, practitioners, and NbS champions; and (3) ensuring socio-environmental justice and societal cohesion through integrated, transdisciplinary governance. When these requirements are met, NbS can serve as powerful tools for climate action that simultaneously enhance societal well-being, making them excellent investments for sustainable urban development.
Under the Banner of Sustainability and Giving: University of El Oued Launches Afforestation and Irrigation Rehabilitation Projects
In a direct contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), the University of El Oued, under the direction of its Rector, launched two ambitious environmental initiatives on February 26, 2024. These projects aim to enhance green spaces and rationalize water usage within the university campus.
The first initiative, “A Tree for Each Professor,” was launched with the participation of newly recruited faculty, administrative staff, and university personnel. The collaborative tree-planting event was a practical step towards expanding green coverage and improving the quality of the university environment, transforming it into a more vibrant and sustainable space.
In a complementary move, the Rector, alongside the Vice-Rector for Development and Foresight, gave the official signal to commence the second project: the rehabilitation of the university’s internal irrigation network. This vital project is designed to improve water resource efficiency, ensure optimal irrigation for green spaces, and reduce waste, in line with the principles of responsible environmental management.
Together, these initiatives represent a qualitative leap in the university’s environmental policy and a practical embodiment of its commitment to building sustainable and resilient infrastructure, creating a healthy and productive campus environment for future generations.
University of El Oued Hosts National Forum on Cybersecurity as a Cornerstone for Resilient Communities
In a significant initiative supporting Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), the University of El Oued convened a major national forum on “Cybersecurity and the Stakes of Comprehensive Security in Algeria” on May 13, 2024.
The forum, inaugurated by the State Inspector representing the Governor of El Oued and presided over by University Rector Professor Omar Ferhati, was organized by the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences and the Research Laboratory for Social Development and Community Service. It brought together a high-level assembly of civil and security authorities, national parliamentary members, academics, researchers, students, and media representatives.
This gathering directly addresses Target 11.a, which calls for supporting positive economic, social, and environmental links between urban, peri-urban, and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning. In the modern era, such planning is inextricably linked to digital resilience. The forum’s core mission was to fortify the nation’s social and institutional fabric against cyber threats that target critical infrastructure, public services, and social cohesion.
The forum’s objectives were strategically designed to build a safer, more secure society:
Raising Public Awareness: Focusing on preserving national security from the unsafe use of social media, thereby safeguarding the community from digital harms that can disrupt public order.
Building Technical Capacity: Providing specialized training workshops for PhD students in cybersecurity techniques, fostering a new generation of experts to protect national digital infrastructure.
Fostering Collaborative Governance: Encouraging civil society organizations to unite with state institutions to achieve comprehensive security, a key principle of inclusive and resilient urban governance.
Advancing Knowledge: Directing academic research to frame and address cybersecurity challenges, with findings published in ranked journals to contribute to global knowledge on securing digital cities.
By translating academic research into actionable recommendations and fostering collaboration between security institutions, academia, and civil society, this forum served as a critical platform. It underscored the University of El Oued’s pivotal role in building a resilient and secure digital environment, which is a fundamental prerequisite for the sustainable and safe communities envisioned by SDG 11.
Preserving and documenting the national intellectual and cultural heritage
On May 6, 2024, Professor Mohamed Laqab, the Minister of Communication, commenced his participation in the National Forum on Algerian Journalism and Journalists during the Colonial Era by visiting a special exhibition at the University of El Oued.
The exhibition, hosted at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, featured a collection of historical photographs and newspapers documenting the colonial period in Algeria. Its primary aim was to highlight the key themes and issues addressed during the national movement and the liberation revolution.
During his tour, the Minister also visited the faculty’s audiovisual studio, where he was a guest on a program produced by the university.
The Minister’s visit to the faculty was accompanied by a distinguished delegation including the Governor of the province, Mr. El-Saïd Akhrouf, the President of the Provincial People’s Council, Mr. Azzedine Houssani, along with civil and security authorities, members of the revolutionary family, and National People’s Assembly members.
The delegation was received by the University Rector, Professor Omar Ferhati, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, along with university officials and faculty members.
Contributing to the promotion and protection of the cultural and natural heritage associated with the desert region
In a significant step towards aligning tourism with global sustainability goals, the University of El Oued hosted a major scientific symposium on November 16, 2024. The event, titled “Desert Tourism in Algeria: International Dimension, Prospects and Challenges,” was a key component of the International Desert Tourism Festival and was held at the university’s “Abu Al-Qasim Saadallah” main lecture hall.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr. Moussa Ben Thamer, Inspector General of the Ministry of Tourism and Traditional Industry, representing the Minister, alongside the Inspector General of El Oued Province and the University Rector, Professor Omar Ferhati.
In his opening address, Rector Ferhati welcomed the distinguished guests, including national and local authorities, elected officials, and media representatives. He highlighted the vast natural, economic, and cultural potential of Algeria’s tourism sector and underscored the state’s commitment, as per the President’s directives, to supporting tourism as a vital economic resource. Professor Ferhati positioned the university as a crucial partner and engine for sustainable development across all sectors, with tourism being a key priority.
The Inspector General of the Province, speaking on behalf of the Governor, emphasized the unique appeal of desert tourism and the rich offerings of the “City of a Thousand Domes.” Mr. Ben Thamer, representing the Minister of Tourism, then thanked the university leadership and community, outlining the festival’s activities and the symposium’s ambitious agenda.
Conclusion
The diverse activities implemented by University of El Oued exemplify its unwavering commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11, “Sustainable Cities and Communities.” This commitment is embodied in ambitious, practical initiatives aimed at transforming the campus and surrounding area into more inclusive and resilient spaces. These integrated efforts position the university as a key partner in building sustainable cities and communities, and as a center for promoting a culture of sustainability at all levels.