Project Bouregreg moves forward to change Rabat’s image
2007-05-29
Through an ambitious development plan for the Bouregreg valley, Morocco is attempting to revitalise its capital city.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 29/05/2007
 [Sarah Touahri] Construction is underway at the Bouregreg valley building site |
The development of the Bouregreg valley is expected to transform the face of Rabat by 2010. Construction began a year and a half ago and is making good progress. Rabat’s inhabitants impatiently await the project's completion which aims to place the capital among the world’s great international cities. According to local authorities, the goal is to make the city welcoming and attractive to tourists. Everyday life will improve through the creation of a tramway and a port, development of the mouth of the river, the construction of a tunnel, the creation of parks, pollution cleanup in the river and along the Atlantic coast, and environmental protection.
Rabat district governor Abdelkebir Berkia stated that this large-scale project aims to modernise the city and its outskirts, to alleviate the housing deficit and create a platform to encourage investment. "The project is likely to reinforce basic infrastructure and drive the productive sectors to accompany the capital’s urban growth," he emphasized.
Essakel Mghari, managing director of the Bouregreg Valley Development Agency, explained that preliminary construction of tramway platforms, an important component of the project, has officially begun. "[With] 2.5 billion dirhams in financing, the tramway will be an appropriate response to the public transportation problem with its system of speed, comfort and environmental efficiency. The tramway must pass through the points where the need is most felt. This means of transport is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. The risks that it could cause to the city walls if it does not pass through those places must be taken into account", he said.
Comprised of six phases, the development plan intends to make the Bouregreg valley a meeting place for activity and leisure between the two river banks. The project also makes provisions for an Atlantic port at the foot of the Oudayas kasbah, a twelfth-century fortress, as well as a marina a short distance from the estuary, thus completing the capital’s Atlantic and fluvial developments. The first part includes hydraulic and port development and new urban areas, to be constructed in balance with the site’s historical monuments. This phase will lay out an area replete with art, jobs, gardens, leisure areas and a business district on the Sale bank.
To avert environmental crises, the development of the Bouregreg valley has factored in important infrastructural and environmental considerations, including liquid and solid cleanup capabilities and the closing of dumps in Rabat and Sale.
According to the Interior Minister Chakib ben Moussa, the site represents a unique chance for the local community in the field of infrastructure development, facilities and urbanisation. The minister also said that in addition to ensuring steady and significant revenue, the development is expected to reinforce Rabat's financial autonomy and stimulate large-scale investments.
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Ben Posted 2007-06-02
In any case, during this construction the face of Rabat has really been messed up, especially by the infernal racket coming from those jack hammers night and day. The people of Rabat, never forgetting that they have been forced to leave their houses and quit their jobs, never stop looking to the heavens to implore the Highest to stop this. It is a pain because the demolition going on there. It is said that the happiness of the speculators is the misfortune of the honest people. Rabat, which we love so, is beginning to become a nightmare for many thanks to the truly criminal methods of evicting the already disoriented resident. Is there a pilot in this plane?
Sam Posted 2007-06-18
Rumor has it that the project team has swindled large sums of money and some members are in the run. Any truth to this?
NA Posted 2007-06-27
It is still easy to grumble though we are hearing that Morocco is on the move, that it is changing, that it is aligning with the rest of the world. While it is sure that Morocco is changing, it is still sad to see that there are people like “BEN” who do not give a damn about anyone so long as they get a good night’s sleep. It is sad that there are people who still act like this and that they are getting enormous pleasure from seeing Morocco being resuscitated.
rahmani Posted 2007-06-29
What should we think about the latest events regarding arrests and charges of protesters on May 1, International Labor Day and workers' right to free expression????????
molusqk Posted 2007-07-13
cool
bm Posted 2007-07-29
Nothing comes from the 'right bank' but the misappropriation of funds and the exploitation of menial labourers.
حسني العلوي Posted 2007-08-11
Assalam alaikoum, for me, as a Moroccan citizen, namely from the city of Rabat, this project is very crucial for the city in the tourism and economic sectors, it makes the city even nicer as it's the capital of Morocco. I've noticed that works are slowing down, not like its pace at the beginning.
Richard Laurin , Canada Posted 2007-10-15
Jobs Like this demand a tremendious amount of labour, however most leading contractors seem to fill each others pockets with funds. who ever is paying the bills i garantee money of this nature is not only lining pockets of your polotitions , but your local contractors.money for project like this sould have money management.these kind of jobs realy have no investmants the onl;y people who gain are the government people and hiow much money is handed to them when no ones looking.. that you can take to the bank./
MA Posted 2007-10-20
I have been in the development business for a long time and one of the saddest things that I observed that the people who are benefiting the most from new developments are the harshest crtics of these developments. This type of development doesn't only benefit the Owners but also benefits the neighbors and the community as a whole. Think of how many jobs this new development will provide during construction and after completion, think of the taxes and the amount of money it will pump into the local economy. In addition, the value of the neighboring properties will increase. What's there not to like?
سلمى أماد Posted 2007-11-04
May God grant you success. This project is the best in the world.
khaled Posted 2007-11-05
I do not have a solution.
bouchra Posted 2007-11-15
This is a beautiful project.
ilham Posted 2007-12-17
It is true that this project is very important for the two cities, Sale and Rabat. We, as people affected by this, are very proud of this. We, the entirety of the inhabitants here, have the right to have any information on this. The majority of us do not know anything about what we are waiting for because the rumours are just going around too fast… and they are not always good. Thus, the majority of the people are not too much in favour of this project.
siham Posted 2008-01-29
I would really like to have some more information about what types of landowners are involved in this project, because I am interested in this and I do not know to whom I should address myself (especially with regards to compensation and the price per square metre.) -Thank you
زكرياء Posted 2008-02-29
Thanks to God to the capital for Morocco. The most important in the project is that young people of the region got at least some work. We hope that it will bring us all good and welfare and drive us forward.
baderja Posted 2008-03-30
This is a really important project, especially for the future young hotel workers who will have the possibility to work and contribute to our city’s growth with regards to tourism.
kamal Posted 2008-04-06
My city flourishes! What happiness!
زهرة Posted 2008-04-24
The capital Rabat is great and every change to it will please its people. We are proud that Morocco is our country. God grants success.
الطيب Posted 2008-04-27
I personally see in this project a continuity of corruption which is spreading in Morocco, just a look at the world ranking of Morocco will confirm what I say. What we need is transparency in managing funds, teaching the public opinion to understand and grasp figures stated by official sources and compare them to what happen in reality. When we talk about public opinion, we don't mean just the layman, but even the specialized reporter, the experienced journalist, associations and parties as they are components which coach and raise the awareness of the society.
tayeb Posted 2008-04-27
Do I need to trivialise myself in order for you to publish the comment I posted this morning? What relieves me the most is that there is a freedom crisis at Magharebia! Sorry!
hamzaboudallaha Posted 2008-08-03
This is super!
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