Marrakech Approves Urban Plan to Tackle Informal Housing and Guide City Expansion

Marrakech, the famed "Red City" of Morocco, is embarking on a new era of urban development with the recent approval of a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling long-standing challenges of informal housing and haphazard expansion. This strategic initiative, detailed in Decree No. 2.26.155, designates large swathes of the city, particularly its western and southern peripheries, for structured development. Covering nearly half of Marrakech's urban footprint, the plan seeks to untangle decades of complex urban growth, bringing order to areas previously characterized by informal settlements and undefined development.

The new urban planning framework meticulously defines land use, allocating specific areas for apartment buildings, green spaces, and villas. Crucially, it outlines clear directions for the city's future expansion, ensuring that growth is managed and sustainable. The plan encompasses approximately 9,000 hectares and aims to integrate around 150 informal housing clusters through partnership agreements with key development agencies. This approach signifies a commitment to formalizing and improving living conditions for a significant portion of the city's population, transforming informal settlements into integrated urban communities.

Furthermore, the plan introduces eight new urban project zones designed to attract investors for tourism and commercial ventures. These projects must be integrated and will undergo rigorous review by a committee led by the regional governor before permits are granted. This move is expected to stimulate economic activity and diversify Marrakech's offerings. The urban planning revision also includes adjustments to building regulations, allowing for an increase in the number of floors in certain areas and repurposing former villa zones into mixed-use developments with ground-floor commercial spaces. This dynamic approach aims to revitalize urban areas and foster a more vibrant economic landscape, demonstrating Marrakech's forward-thinking strategy to balance heritage preservation with modern development needs.