Tunis's dilapidated art deco architecture risks demolition - in pictures

  • In the centre of Tunis, dilapidated colonial-era Art Deco and Art Nouveau buildings risk demolition as heritage preservation falls prey to a lack of planning and eager developers. AFP
    In the centre of Tunis, dilapidated colonial-era Art Deco and Art Nouveau buildings risk demolition as heritage preservation falls prey to a lack of planning and eager developers. AFP
  • Built by Italian and French architects and business people, the buildings bear the weight of their association with colonialism. AFP
    Built by Italian and French architects and business people, the buildings bear the weight of their association with colonialism. AFP
  • Tunisian men on the balcony of a building dating back almost a century in the capital Tunis. AFP
    Tunisian men on the balcony of a building dating back almost a century in the capital Tunis. AFP
  • Built just outside Tunis's traditional Arab medina during the French colonial period of the 19th and 20th centuries, these buildings were meant to modernise the city. AFP
    Built just outside Tunis's traditional Arab medina during the French colonial period of the 19th and 20th centuries, these buildings were meant to modernise the city. AFP
  • At least 160 dilapidated buildings in Tunisia that belonged to foreigners are at risk of collapse, according to the last official survey in 2019. AFP
    At least 160 dilapidated buildings in Tunisia that belonged to foreigners are at risk of collapse, according to the last official survey in 2019. AFP
  • Some residents carried out repairs that changed buildings' architectural heritage, while others are used as squats or rubbish dumps. AFP
    Some residents carried out repairs that changed buildings' architectural heritage, while others are used as squats or rubbish dumps. AFP
  • In Tunis, some neighbourhoods are threatened by a draft law that seeks to destroy dilapidated buildings, potentially affecting about 5,000 structures. AFP
    In Tunis, some neighbourhoods are threatened by a draft law that seeks to destroy dilapidated buildings, potentially affecting about 5,000 structures. AFP
  • Europeans made up a large part of the Tunisian population at the start of the 20th century. AFP
    Europeans made up a large part of the Tunisian population at the start of the 20th century. AFP
  • European neighbourhoods developed in several cities. These included the Lafayette and Monfleury areas, and what is now Habib Bourguiba Avenue, named after the father of Tunisian independence, in Tunis. AFP
    European neighbourhoods developed in several cities. These included the Lafayette and Monfleury areas, and what is now Habib Bourguiba Avenue, named after the father of Tunisian independence, in Tunis. AFP
  • Local associations are calling for strategies to "preserve the historic architectural landscape". AFP
    Local associations are calling for strategies to "preserve the historic architectural landscape". AFP
  • The prospects for restoration and preservation are bleak at a time when Tunisia is facing one of the worst economic and political crises in its history. AFP
    The prospects for restoration and preservation are bleak at a time when Tunisia is facing one of the worst economic and political crises in its history. AFP
  • The preservation of heritage, particularly European, is not a priority. AFP
    The preservation of heritage, particularly European, is not a priority. AFP