Al Haouz construction sites: Land marked out
The work is almost complete. The Ministry of National Land Planning, Urban Development, Housing, and Urban Policy is working at full speed to prepare for reconstruction. The survey of damaged buildings is proceeding at a steady pace.
According to minister Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the survey in Marrakech has been completed. «The one in the province of Al Haouz is not far behind», minister El Mansouri told us in an exclusive statement. On the ground, there were a few constraints linked to the strong presence of the notion of belonging on the part of the inhabitants, who didn’t want to leave their homes despite the hazards and damage. «But we finally convinced them for their own safety». The Land Planning’s intervention is not limited to the census. Committees of experts in urban planning, architecture, topography, design offices, laboratories… did a gigantic job in a short space of time (21 days). They have finalized the specifications for the rebuilds, and are ahead of the deadlines set by the line ministry. Fifty expert missions have been set up. Their task is to gather information to create a reliable database on the various types of structural damage caused by the Al Haouz earthquake, affecting different types of buildings in urban and rural areas. (see l’Economiste no. 6600, September 18, 2023). At the same time, the Ministry of Land Planning has been working on the specifications for building materials, which are ready, confirms Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri. Another project completed in less than 24 days after the earthquake was «a hazard map, as well as geotechnical and seismic studies for future investors», says El Mansouri. The study characterizes vulnerability, and assesses risks. As a reminder, the earthquake that struck Morocco on September 08 particularly affected 6 Moroccan provinces (Marrakech, Al Haouz, Taroudant, Chichaoua, Azilal, and Ouarzazate). Damage affected homes over 200,000 hectares in all 6 provinces. A general reconstruction and rehabilitation program for areas affected by the Al Haouz earthquake has been decided on the basis of high royal instructions, with an estimated budget of 120 billion Dirhams (USD 12 billion). The main goals of the reconstruction program include rebuilding housing and rehabilitating basic infrastructure. Another overriding goal is to encourage economic activity and employment, and promote local initiatives.
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