The Preservation of Historic Architecture in North African Cities: An Overview? This paper will discuss contemporary North African thinking about which urban buildings should be preserved, and how, in the three Maghrebi countries. The work -- published and practical -- of both architects and activists will provide a vantage point on local understanding and appreciation of historic buildings, in particular, and of the region's history, in general. These insights derive from a conference to be held in Oran, Algeria, in May, 2017, attended by scholars, activists, and architects from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. This paper will serve as the introduction to the conference papers when they are published as an edited volume.