REHABILITATION AND UPGRADING OF THE MEDINA OF MARRAKECH, A MAJOR HERITAGE PROJECT

Aware of the Marrakech Medina heritage value and the possibility of making it a regional economic lever, the public authorities have launched since 2014, a major project to rehabilitate this space of cultural identity and social mix representing the Moroccans urban life before the colonial influences. The operations are part of an integrated approach, which takes into account socio-economic, urban and heritage aspects, with for each action, the permanent concern of the right choice of techniques and materials to preserve the buildings authenticity. These actions concern the rehabilitation of historic districts and squares, the restoration of mausoleums, mosques and fondouks or caravanserais, as well as the creation of tourist and spiritual circuits.
The Medina Rehabilitation is in fact only one component of an even broader project to upgrade and develop the city of Marrakesh and its surrounding region, entitled “Marrakesh, city of permanent renewal”, based on five major actions: the heritage enhancement, urban mobility improvement, good governance promotion, urban integration and preservation of the environment.