Publications
A Quantitative and Qualitative Experimental Framework for the Evaluation of Urban Soundscapes: Application to the City of Sidi Bou Saïd
A novel experimental framework combining 3D acoustic and psycho-acoustic sensors, ambisonics, and sound morphological analysis offers a comprehensive approach to evaluating urban soundscapes. This method, applied to the historic center of Sidi Bou Saïd in Tunisia, reveals significant discrepancies between measured acoustic data and human perception, as captured through questionnaires. The framework provides a holistic understanding of soundscape environments, bridging quantitative measurements with qualitative evaluations. It introduces an additional dimension to urban planning studies by offering insights into how soundscapes are perceived, highlighting the importance of integrating perceptual data into spatial design.
La cage Sidi Bou Saïd, symbole culturel et identitaire
The traditional 'cage de Sidi Bou Saïd' emerges as a powerful cultural and identity symbol, blending art, history, and Mediterranean heritage. This study reveals its role as a locus of memory, where local and regional influences converge to shape collective identity. Through ethnographic fieldwork, historical analysis, and anthropological insights, the research dissects the craftsmanship, materials, and tools used in its creation while highlighting its semantic richness. The cage, mimicking architectural and artisanal traditions, serves as a tangible representation of cultural diversity, bridging Mediterranean and local narratives. This work advances understanding of how such artifacts function in identity formation, offering a nuanced perspective on intangible heritage preservation.
Caractérisation granulométrique et minéralogique des sédiments de surface de la frange littorale Sidi Bou Said - La Goulette
A detailed analysis of surface sediments along the coastal zone between Sidi Bou Saïd and La Goulette reveals distinct granulometric and mineralogical patterns. Fine sands dominate shallow areas (-2 to -10 m), while the beach top transitions from average sands near Sidi Bou Saïd to finer sands toward La Goulette, indicating a spatial sorting of sediments influenced by transverse currents. Mineralogical analysis shows quartz as the predominant component, with lesser amounts of calcite and dolomite, and clay minerals including kaolinite, smectite, and illite. This study highlights the dynamic sediment distribution shaped by coastal currents, providing insights into the geomorphological processes affecting this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
L'architecture des maisons de villégiature tunisiennes : Entre vision de la mer et la dar comme référence. Les exemples de Tunis et de Hammamet (1900-1980)
A study of Tunisian seaside villas (1900–1980) reveals three distinct architectural models shaped by Western and local influences. The 'arabizing' model (pre-1930) emphasized expressive traditional motifs, while the 'abstract' model (interwar period) stripped down forms, blending vernacular architecture with natural harmony—a shift from rejection to modernized adaptation of Arab-Muslim design. The 'modernized' model (post-1945) integrated contemporary strategies with tempered references to traditional Tunisian elements, often through stylized motifs. These models emerged as European elites and later Tunisians adapted coastal living, creating a hybrid architecture that balances tradition, modernity, and environmental sensitivity. The research analyzes 80 villas in Tunis and Hammamet, offering a framework for understanding this evolving patrimonial heritage.
Vers une méthodologie duale de qualification et de perception de paysages sonores : expérimentation dans le contexte urbain de Sidi Bou Saïd
A dual methodology combining quantitative and qualitative approaches effectively qualifies the soundscapes of urban environments, as demonstrated by experiments in Sidi Bou Saïd. This approach integrates multidimensional acoustic measurements, psychoacoustic analyses, and immersive 3D assessments with socio-acoustic evaluations involving human practitioners. The study highlights the feasibility and value of this dual method, bridging measured data with perceived realities to enrich soundscapes analysis. Findings offer new perspectives for urban planners, policymakers, and practitioners in preserving and enhancing urban acoustic environments.
An acoustic and psycho-acoustic experimental setup for analysing urban soundscapes
A novel psycho-acoustic experimental setup demonstrates the feasibility of analyzing and visualizing urban soundscapes in real-world environments, offering insights into biological, geophysical, and anthropogenic sounds. The approach integrates acoustic measurements with ambisonic recordings using multiple sensors, providing a comprehensive framework for interpreting complex soundscapes. Conducted in Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisiathe study highlights the potential of this method to enhance our understanding of urban acoustics and its implications for heritage conservation.
Vers une approche psychoacoustique et qualitative des paysages sonores de la commune de Sidi Bou Saïd
A novel psychoacoustical and qualitative approach to assessing urban soundscapes has been successfully demonstrated in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sidi Bou Saïd. This study highlights the feasibility of combining quantitative acoustic measurements with subjective perceptions from local stakeholders, revealing that such an integrated method can effectively capture the complexity of sound environments in dense urban settings. The findings underscore the importance of blending objective data with qualitative insights to fully understand and preserve the auditory character of heritage landscapes.
Foucault’s Orient: The Conundrum of Cultural Difference, from Tunisia to Japan
Michel Foucault's experiences in non-Western countries, particularly Tunisia, Iran, and Japan, significantly influenced his philosophical concepts, yet these influences have been understudied. Marnia Lazreg's book 'Foucault’s Orient' reveals that Foucault's encounters with cultural difference shaped his thoughts on power, discourse, and political spirituality, challenging Western-centric perspectives. Through extensive archival research and interviews, Lazreg demonstrates how Foucault's travels led to the development of key concepts like heterotopia and political spirituality, while also highlighting his paradoxical relationship with cultural otherness and colonialism.
Rives euro-méditerranéennes et entrelacs musicologiques : la francophonie et l'apport de l'Autre
This study highlights the profound impact of cross-Mediterranean human exchanges on the development of musicology, particularly through francophone networks. It reveals how collaborative relationships between French and Tunisian scholars, such as Mahmoud Guettat and Mohamed Zinelabidine, shaped academic institutions like the Institut Supérieur de Musique de Tunis and fostered bilateral partnerships. The research emphasizes that these interactions were reciprocal, enriching both the quest for knowledge in the Global South and the transmission of expertise in the Global North. By tracing historical encounters at UNESCO World Heritage Site Sidi Bou Saïd's Palais Ennejma Ezzahra, the study demonstrates how music served as a bridge uniting diverse Mediterranean cultures—French, Tunisian, Syrian, and Lebanese—through shared intellectual and linguistic frameworks. The findings underscore the role of francophonie in facilitating cultural exchange, academic collaboration, and the co-construction of musicological thought.
Etude du fonctionnement hydro-sédimentaire de la zone portuaire de Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisie
The port of Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia, faces chronic silting issues that disrupt its operations, necessitating frequent dredging. A comprehensive hydro-sedimentary study was conducted to understand the current dynamics and silting mechanisms in the port's entrance channel. Using a global hydro-sedimentary modeling chain, researchers analyzed sediment transport patterns and assessed the impact of proposed modifications. The findings highlight the critical role of sediment movement in shaping the port's functionality, offering insights for sustainable management strategies.
Les musées au Maghreb et leurs publics
A comprehensive analysis of museums in the Maghreb reveals significant challenges and opportunities in their reconfiguration, particularly regarding public engagement. The study, conducted by a multidisciplinary team at Sidi Bou Saïd in 2010, highlights that the perception and integration of museum audiences are critical yet often overlooked aspects of institutional development. Researchers and professionals from diverse fields faced difficulties in defining the role of museums, underscoring the need for a more nuanced approach to audience engagement. This work provides a foundational framework for understanding the evolving dynamics between Maghrebi museums and their publics.
Conference Precis
A conference held at Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia, in February 2012, revisited the historiography of North African cities during the colonial era (19th and 20th centuries) through interdisciplinary methods, focusing on urbanism, architecture, and heritage. The event, sponsored by the Institut de Recherche sur le Maghreb Contemporain (IRMC), aimed to challenge traditional narratives by integrating archival research with spatial analysis. Key discussions emphasized the need for a 'spatial turn' in Middle East studies, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to reinterpret colonial urban landscapes. This conference highlighted the significance of Sidi Bou Saïd as both a case study and a platform for re-evaluating historical perspectives on North African urban development.
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