Post-earthquake reconstruction : Are we on the wrong track?
The large-scale reconstruction project in the Al Haouz region, devastated by the devastating earthquake of September 08, seems to be in a “critical” situation. The National Council of the Order of Architects has come out of its silence and launched a paving stone in the pond.
“Today, given what we are seeing, we must neither hide it nor keep quiet about it. The approach taken by the authorities does not seem to correspond at all to the objectives set out in the royal cabinet’s communiqué, nor to the expectations of architects with regard to safe-guarding architectural heritage”, said its president, Chakib Benabdellah, at a meeting on sustainable construction held in Casablanca on Thursday November 23.
Benabdellah is not hiding his anger, and takes aim at the Ministry of Housing. “The September 14 press release stresses that the reconstruction operation must be carried out on the basis of specifications and under technical and architectural supervision in harmony with the region’s heritage, respecting its unique architectural features. His Majesty King Mohammed VI reiterated his High Instructions for a strong, rapid, and proactive response, while respecting the dignity of the people, their customs, and heritage. These are clearly defined ambitions for sustainable and resilient construction”, said Benabdellah.
However, according to Benabdellah, “the approach taken by the Ministry of Housing is quite different. Today, construction lots are being distributed by the hundreds to volunteer architects, without any prior study by these architects of the intervention sites, without any training of the latter in building with local materials, without any training of the beneficiaries since this will be self-construction. And without taking any steps to recover the materials from the destroyed buildings, which are of inestimable sustainable and resilient value, and which will be cleared away to who knows where”, said Benabdellah.
For Chakib Benabdellah, “rehabilitation would make more sense, as it is cheaper, allows families to be rehoused in the community, and protects the architectural heritage”. Current weather conditions and accessibility problems in many hamlets mean that the reconstruction work cannot get off to a good start, said Benabdellah s in a statement to L’Economistee, who added, saying: “The Ministry wants to move quickly to rebuild. There’s talk of wiping out villages to the ground to rebuild new ones. They’re going to give people money to rebuild, while asking them to comply with seismic regulations. This is just not possible. We fear the result will be catastrophic”.
As far as Ministry of Housing is concerning, silence prevails. Contacted repeatedly by L’Economiste, Fatima-Ezzahra Al Mansouri’s department did not respond to our request. o
Khadija Skalli
