Morocco to implement new urban development agenda jointly with municipalities

Morocco needs time for the widespread adoption at the local level of the transition to operational and inclusive urban planning oriented toward social diversity, stated the Secretary General of the National Housing Council under the Ministry of National Territorial Planning, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Policy of Morocco, Fatna Chihab, at an event within the framework of WUF13 in Baku, Report informs.

According to her, regarding sustainable urban planning to combat water scarcity and climate change issues, new urban planning documents increasingly integrate sustainability, the use of treated wastewater for green areas, and energy efficiency of buildings:

"Comparing these results with our initial expectations, the overall balance is positive but mixed. The success of major infrastructure projects is based on strong political commitment at the highest state level, powerful coherence of sectoral policies, and the leading role of individual institutions and agencies. The main deviation from expectations is the persisting socio-spatial inequality, particularly the gap between dynamic coastal metropolises and medium-sized cities or rural areas. Moreover, the transition from purely regulatory and technical urban planning to operational and inclusive urban planning oriented toward social diversity requires time for widespread adoption at the local level."

Chihab added that over the past 10 years, Morocco has strengthened its infrastructure and institutional framework: "The challenge for the next 10 years - placing people and local governance at the center - is to ensure that the new urban agenda becomes a tangible reality in every municipality of the country."