HIBAPRESS – by A. Muhyawi
In the heart of Moroccan history, the old Medina of Fez today faces a harsh test, after cracks in the walls and collapsing roofs have turned into a recurring scene that threatens the safety of residents and raises increasing concern about the fate of this ancient human heritage.
During recent months, incidents of collapsing houses at risk of collapse have been frequent within narrow alleys teeming with daily life. Houses built centuries ago, which withstood the vagaries of time, but today are unable to resist neglect, humidity, and the erosion of the infrastructure, as well as the absence of periodic maintenance.
The residents of the old Medina live between fear and attachment to the place. For many, these houses do not represent mere shelter, but a collective memory and a deep-rooted identity. However, the fragility of the situation has forced some families to leave their homes by necessity, while others continue to live under a constant threat, awaiting an intervention that saves what can be saved.
Experts in urban heritage warn that the continuation of the current situation not only threatens lives but also portends the loss of invaluable historical landmarks. They confirm that piecemeal treatment is no longer sufficient, calling for a comprehensive approach that combines precise architectural restoration, social support for residents, and the provision of temporary housing alternatives during repair work.
For its part, the concerned authorities announce from time to time rehabilitation programs, but the pace of implementation remains, according to followers, slower than the size of the escalating risks. Between promises of reform and the reality of collapses, the question remains: will the upcoming efforts succeed in protecting the residents of the old Medina and preserving its cultural heritage, or will time precede the intervention?
The old Medina of Fez, with its historical and human value, needs not only the restoration of its stones, but also an urgent rescue that restores respect for the human being before the walls, and preserves the memory of a city that has formed over the centuries a vibrant heart of civilization.
At the heart of this thorny file, the role of the Fez Development and Rehabilitation Agency stands out, as it is the entity in charge of implementing programs for the restoration and rehabilitation of the urban fabric of the old Medina, in coordination with various stakeholders from local authorities and government sectors. The agency's tasks, in theory, are to carry out technical studies, follow up on restoration projects, and maintain historic buildings, in addition to intervening in houses classified as at risk of collapse with the aim of reducing risks and protecting residents.
However, legitimate questions impose themselves urgently, especially after the repeated incidents of collapse: Will a thorough investigation be opened into the restoration budgets of these houses? And how are the financial appropriations allocated for this purpose spent? Then, what are the technical and engineering standards adopted in classifying houses at risk of collapse, and in choosing the mode of intervention, whether it is partial restoration or demolition and reconstruction?
Sources following the file indicate that the classification process depends on technical expertise that includes the condition of the foundations, load-bearing walls, humidity levels, and the extent of the impact of time and inappropriate use of the buildings. However, the lack of transparency in publishing the results of this expertise, and the failure to involve the residents in the details of the decisions taken, opens the door to doubts and fuels the feeling of distrust.
Pending official clarifications, civil actors demand the need to link responsibility with accountability, and to subject the restoration programs to an independent financial and technical audit, which ensures the safety of the works, the efficiency of spending public money, and puts an end to any imbalances that may be a direct cause of the continued danger that threatens lives within the old Medina.
