HIBAPRESS – Ahmed Wazirouti
The city of Taroudant has launched an unprecedented development project aimed at rehabilitating the old city and modernizing its urban environment, within a comprehensive vision based on royal directives aimed at promoting Moroccan historical cities and enhancing their role in sustainable development.
A five-year project that changes the face of the city.
The new agreement, which was signed on October 15, includes a program that extends from 2025 to 2029, and its cost reaches 3 billion dirhams, distributed over projects inside and outside the city walls. This major project combines preserving the ancient historical character and keeping pace with the requirements of the times through modern infrastructure and developed social and tourism services.
Restoration of heritage… and rehabilitation of the present.
The historical heart of Taroudant will witness extensive restoration operations for the walls, gates, and heritage buildings, including mosques and zawiyas, with the aim of protecting the architectural and cultural memory of the city. Urban facilities will also be rehabilitated, and movement and circulation will be improved through the modernization of roads, squares, and green spaces.
Social services closer to the citizen.
The program includes the creation and equipping of sports and cultural spaces, such as socio-educational centers, youth centers, sports halls, and health centers, in addition to improving educational structures, which will enable the population to access modern services without leaving their neighborhoods.
Supporting tourism and traditional industry.
At the economic level, the project will focus on stimulating tourism activity and valuing traditional crafts, by rehabilitating old markets and establishing museums and new tourist attractions, to consolidate Taroudant's position as a prominent cultural and tourist destination in southern Morocco.
Balanced financial distribution between inside and outside.
The financial envelope is divided into:
977.2 million dirhams inside the walls, distributed as follows:
Infrastructure: 521.18 million dirhams
Heritage: 269.85 million dirhams
Social services: 57 million dirhams
Economic and tourism attractiveness: 129.17 million dirhams
2022.8 million dirhams outside the walls, allocated to:
Urban rehabilitation: 819.29 million dirhams
Social services: 816.5 million dirhams
Economic activity: 335 million dirhams
Public networks: 52 million dirhams
14 institutions participate in funding and implementation.
The implementation of this project is undertaken by a broad alliance of 14 institutional bodies, the most prominent of which are:
Ministry of Interior
Taroudant Municipality
Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs
Ministry of National Education
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Souss-Massa Regional Council
And a number of other public institutions
Community officials confirm that the project reflects a balanced concept of development that combines preserving the identity of the old city and developing the surrounding urban areas, with the aim of building a sustainable and modern city that respects its past and anticipates its future.
