The Digital Building Permit in Algerian Legislation

Abstract

In light of the digital transformation taking place in Algeria within the administrative sector, a digital platform for urban planning permits has been created and is managed by the local authorities responsible for municipal affairs. The aim is to simplify and facilitate the procedures for obtaining urban planning documents, particularly the building permit, in order to reduce the phenomenon of widespread informal construction, to reinforce democratic governance, and to eliminate bureaucracy. However, the issuance of a digital building permit depends on the applicant’s choice and the method used to submit the application. If the submission is made in paper form, the permit is delivered in paper format; whereas if the submission is made through the digital platform, the permit is delivered digitally. The purpose of studying this topic is to clarify the procedures for obtaining the digital building permit, the potential issues that may arise from it, the guarantees granted to the applicant in case the administrative authority explicitly or implicitly refuses to issue the permit or withdraws it after issuance, as well as the powers of the administrative judge in reviewing digital decisions related to building permits.