Major Projects
El Bahia has never been more active. Cranes on the coastline, towers rising from the ground facing the sea, a car factory ramping up production in Tafraoui, an amusement park under construction in Bir El Djir, a desalination plant in Cap Blanc tackling the water problem.
Oran is no longer just the city where the diaspora returns in summer. It is a Mediterranean metropolis in transformation, with projects that will reshape its urban landscape and attractiveness by 2030. Here's what is actually being built, where, by when, and what it means for an owner or buyer.
Key takeaways
• Oran is ranked 7th among the 52 global destinations to visit in 2026 by the New York Times.
• Seven major projects are underway, from desalination to an amusement park.
• The Cap Blanc station aims for approximately 300,000 m³ of water per day.
• The Tafraoui plant aims for 135,000 vehicles per year by 2028.
• Bir El Djir hosted the African Swimming Championships in May 2026, with 41 nations participating.
📋 Summary
→ Oran 7th global destination: what the ranking actually says
→ The timeline of the seven projects
→ The water problem and the ongoing response
→ Directly affected neighborhoods
→ What it means for real estate
Oran 7th global destination: what the ranking actually says
In January 2026, the New York Times published its annual ranking of the 52 destinations to visit during the year. Oran is listed in seventh position. Only six destinations precede it: Revolutionary America, Warsaw, Bangkok, the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, Bandhavgarh in India, and Dallas. Just behind are Route 66, the Caribbean island of Saba, and the Poblenou district in Barcelona.
The newspaper describes a Mediterranean port city experiencing a cultural revival that blends its past with new energy, and notes that Oran is the birthplace of Raï music. It highlights the Oran Regional Theater, a century-old architectural gem recently restored, and the Mediterranean panoramas of the city perched on its hills.
This selection is not isolated. Condé Nast Traveller, Lonely Planet, Le Petit Futé, the BBC, and CNN have also identified Algeria as a destination to watch. The signal is clear: Oran is entering the international tourism spotlight, and not just that of the diaspora.
A real-life test in May 2026
The city's hosting capacity was put to a concrete test: Bir El Djir hosted the African Swimming Championships from May 5 to 10, 2026, at the Miloud Hadefi complex, with nearly 450 swimmers from 41 countries. It is this type of event, more than rankings, that builds a lasting hosting experience and reputation.
The timeline of the seven projects
| Project | Location | Announced Horizon |
|---|---|---|
| Cité de la Mer (Sea City) | Eastern coastline | Shell of towers expected around 2027, phased delivery |
| Habibas Land | El-Milia, Bir El Djir | Phased delivery, first phase underway |
| Stellantis Plant | Tafraoui | Ramping up to 135,000 vehicles per year by 2028 |
| Cap Blanc Desalination | Aïn El Kerma | Approximately 300,000 m³ per day at full capacity |
| Lac Dhaya High Park | Lac Dhaya | 346 hectares of green spaces planned |
| Heritage Restoration | Sidi El-Houari, Maata and Stalingrad boulevards | Work in progress with international cooperation |
| Port and Highway Link | Port of Oran to East-West highway | 26 km underway, Pépinière trench in final phase |
The indicated horizons are those announced by the project developers. As with any project of this magnitude, timelines may shift.
Projects in detail
The Cité de la Mer, on the coastline
This is the most spectacular project. An urban and tourist complex under construction on the eastern coastline, near the Grand Jardin Méditerranéen, spearheaded by ENPI, the National Real Estate Promotion Company. It includes high-rise residential towers, a shopping center, hotel spaces, and seaside facilities. It transforms the maritime facade and elevates the entire sector to a high-end level.
Habibas Land, the amusement park in Bir El Djir
An Algerian-Chinese project worth 7.4 billion dinars, spanning 17 hectares in the El-Milia district of Bir El Djir, within the Mediterranean Urban Garden 2. It will feature 34 outdoor attractions, 400 commercial premises, and dining and service areas. The arrival of a park of this size enhances the residential attractiveness of the entire eastern sector.
The Stellantis plant in Tafraoui
Inaugurated in late 2023, the plant is ramping up production: approximately 18,000 vehicles assembled in 2024, with announced targets of 60,000 then 90,000 units, and an expansion aiming for 135,000 vehicles per year by 2028. Robotic sheet metal and paint shops have been put into service. The group announces 2,000 direct jobs and as many indirect ones, with a target of 90% local integration by 2030.
This growth attracts engineers, technicians, and managers who are looking for modern housing in the metropolitan area. This is a driver of rental demand distinct from that of the diaspora, and especially spread throughout the year.
The High Park of Lac Dhaya
A 346-hectare park planned for the Lac Dhaya site. Oran suffers from a deficit of green spaces relative to its population: this project aims to address this and is a signal of urban quality of life for the surrounding neighborhoods.
The restoration of historical heritage
The Maata and Stalingrad boulevards are currently being restored with the help of French, Spanish, American, and Italian specialists. The Sidi El-Houari district, which embodies the city's identity, is undergoing a restoration program coupled with training young artisans in built heritage trades. It is precisely this work that the New York Times highlighted.
Transport infrastructure
A 26-kilometer highway link is to connect the port of Oran to the East-West highway, with a 2x3-lane maritime dike and a tunnel. The trench at the Pépinière roundabout in Bir El Djir, designed to improve traffic flow on a strategic axis, is in its final phase. Regarding daily commutes, the topic is covered in our comparison on getting around Oran.
The water problem and the ongoing response
Water has long been Oran's main handicap: summer cuts, insufficient production for an agglomeration of 2.5 million inhabitants, and aging parts of the network. This is the number one hindrance to the residential attractiveness of certain neighborhoods.
The current water strategy is tackling the problem on several fronts:
- Cap Blanc desalination plant: approximately 300,000 m³ per day of announced capacity
- Existing plants: El Mactaa, Kahrama, Chatt El Hillal
- Downstream network: approximately 50 km of pipelines under construction
- Rehabilitation: program for replacing corroded pipes
Our position, in the meantime. Until the full network ramp-up is complete, we continue to recommend accommodations equipped with a water tank or cistern. This is the criterion that distinguishes a successful stay from a ruined one in the middle of August, regardless of ongoing construction.
Directly affected neighborhoods
The coastline
With the Cité de la Mer, it is transitioning from a developing area to a structured urban frontage. This is the sector where the physical transformation will be most visible.
Bir El Djir and Hai El Yasmine
Habibas Land, the Miloud Hadefi complex, shopping centers, schools, hospitals, and the Pépinière trench: the area is becoming a complete hub for family life. It is already the most requested neighborhood by the families we assist.
Belgaïd and Canastel
These recent residential neighborhoods continue to receive new developments, with continuous improvement in access roads and businesses. Details on each neighborhood can be found in our guide on where to stay in Oran.
Bousfer and the west coast
The gradual resolution of the water problem directly concerns this sector, where summer cuts are most impactful. Our Villa Sakina with private pool in Bousfer illustrates the type of property concerned.
What it means for real estate
A word of caution before going further: we are neither financial analysts nor investment advisors, and no one can guarantee the evolution of a real estate market. What follows describes observable mechanisms, not a promise of return.
Three distinct sources of demand
- The diaspora, concentrated in July and August, with increasing demands for comfort.
- Industry, through Stellantis and its ecosystem of subcontractors, which generates year-round housing demand for executives and technicians.
- International tourism, still in its early stages, which media visibility is beginning to fuel.
It is the superposition of these three demands that changes the game, more so than each taken in isolation: it allows a property to be active outside the two summer months, which is the real challenge for a rental calendar.
What it means for an owner
A property that meets current expectations – water reserve, air conditioning, parking, fiber optics – stands out clearly in this context. The question is not to bet on an increase, but to make the property rentable twelve months a year. This is the purpose of our concierge and rental management services in Oran. To find out what your property can actually generate, our rental income estimation tool starts with your actual property rather than a market average.
What it means for a buyer
Prices per square meter vary greatly from one neighborhood to another, and this topic deserves its own data: we have covered it separately in our article on real estate prices in Oran by neighborhood. For the operational part – cash purchase, off-plan VEFA, or compliant financing – our support for real estate purchases in Oran covers the selection, verification, and securing of the remote transaction.
💡 Karim's advice
Frankly, be wary of those who promise you it will double. No one knows for sure. What I see with my own eyes are the cranes, the factory running, the water arriving, the tourists starting to ask questions. That's concrete. Buy a decent property in a neighborhood with water, parking, and schools, and rent it well. The rest, you'll see.
You are following the situation from France or Canada
Most people who write to us on these topics live in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Brussels, or Montreal, and follow Oran's development from afar, often through family. Three practical recommendations.
- See for yourself before deciding. A announced project and a delivered project are two different things. A visit on-site, with a private driver in Oran to visit neighborhoods in one day, is worth all the 3D renderings.
- Check the building's water network, not just the neighborhood's. Desalination takes time to be reflected in every building.
- Be wary of promises of returns, including ours if we were to make any. Ask for figures specific to your property, not a market average.
Feedback from owners based in France, Belgium, and Canada can be found on our Oran customer reviews page.
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- Invest in real estate in Oran: off-plan, new build, compliant financing, remote support.
- How much your property can earn: estimation based on your actual home.
- Concierge and rental management in Oran: to keep the property active all year round.
- Real estate photographer and videographer in Oran: reportage and remote 360° virtual tour.
- Private driver in Oran: to visit several neighborhoods and properties in one day.
- Our apartments and villas in Oran: to see what is actually rented, and to what standard.
📚 Additional articles
→ Real estate prices in Oran, neighborhood by neighborhood
→ Buying an apartment in Oran from France
FAQ: Oran by 2030
Did the New York Times really rank Oran as the 7th best destination worldwide?
Yes. In January 2026, Oran was ranked seventh in the New York Times' annual list of 52 places to visit. Six destinations preceded it: Revolutionary America, Warsaw, Bangkok, Osa Peninsula, Bandhavgarh, and Dallas. Route 66, Saba, and Barcelona's Poblenou neighborhood followed.
What is Cité de la Mer in Oran?
It's an urban and tourist complex under construction on Oran's eastern seafront, led by ENPI. It includes high-rise residential towers, a shopping center, hotel spaces, and seaside facilities. The structural work for the main buildings is expected around 2027.
Will Oran's water problem be solved?
The Cap Blanc desalination plant, with an announced capacity of approximately 300,000 m³ per day, complements existing stations, and about 50 km of pipelines are under construction. Improvement is gradually being felt, building by building. In the meantime, a dwelling equipped with a water tank remains the safest choice.
What does the Stellantis plant bring to Oran?
The Tafraoui plant is ramping up production with an announced target of 135,000 vehicles per year by 2028, creating 2,000 direct and as many indirect jobs. It attracts skilled labor looking for year-round housing, which creates a distinct rental demand from that of the summer diaspora.
What is Habibas Land?
An amusement park covering 17 hectares under construction in Bir El Djir, as part of an Algerian-Chinese partnership worth 7.4 billion dinars. It plans for 34 attractions, 400 commercial spaces, and catering areas, and enhances the attractiveness of the entire eastern sector of Oran.
Will real estate prices increase in Oran by 2030?
No one can guarantee it, and one should be wary of anyone who claims they can. What is observable: ongoing structural projects, rental demand fueled by three distinct sources, and new tourist visibility. These factors support demand, without constituting a price forecast.
Which neighborhoods are most affected by these projects?
The eastern seafront with Cité de la Mer, Bir El Djir and Hai El Yasmine with Habibas Land and the Pépinière underpass, Belgaïd and Canastel with new developments, and the west coast with the gradual arrival of desalinated water from Cap Blanc.
Can Oran host international events?
The city has already done so. From May 5 to 10, 2026, the Miloud Hadefi complex in Bir El Djir hosted the African Swimming Championships, with nearly 450 swimmers from 41 countries. Existing sports and hotel infrastructures were mobilized for this occasion.
Conclusion
What is happening in Oran is not a communication stunt. These are visible, localized projects, with identified developers and announced timelines. Cité de la Mer is rising from the ground, the Tafraoui plant is ramping up, Habibas Land is taking shape, Cap Blanc desalination is progressing, and the New York Times has put the city on the international travel map.
The challenge remains to distinguish what is built from what is promised. An announced project is not a delivered project, and a tourist ranking is not a guaranteed flow of travelers. For an owner as well as a buyer, the right question is not to guess where prices will be in 2030, but to own a property that rents well right now. Bessahtek.
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Keyin-DZ
Real estate & car concierge in Algeria
Keyin-DZ, Algerian specialist in real estate and car concierge services. Accommodation, vehicles, activities: we simplify your stay and enhance your assets in Algeria.
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