Historical background of the city of

The hammam in Islamic countries still occupies a very important urban and social place in the heart of the inhabitants. Even though, it is not as used as it used to be, it is considered as a monument; which is part of the Islamic heritage. People assume that “the hammām will not disappear socially. It also constitutes an intangible heritage; customs and traditions which still persist until today, as is the hammām. It is still related to festivals; it is engraved and fi xed in the residents’ memory. This traditional building used to be a central place for social life and cultural heritage with complex urban and societal relations. Besides its cultural heritage values, the hammām is an integrative part of the locals ’ life as well as an example of architectural heritage. Nowadays, although it still has a ‘’warm’’ place in the heart of the inhabitants, the hammām seems to have lost its function and activities. This paper presents scenarios for the adaptive reuse of hammam Suq El Ghezal as a public service centre in Constantine. It also outlines strategies for adaptin