King Mohammed launches housing projects in casablanca
Morocco, Economics, 5/28/2003

Morocco's King Mohammed VI who was accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid launched this Tuesday in Casablanca construction works of major housing projects, for a total cost of 8.2 billion DH (around US$ 820 million).

A total of 64,000 new low-cost housing units will be built, part of efforts to fight unhealthy housing.

The sovereign first stopped at Al Oulfa neighborhood where he was briefed on a housing project, to be carried out by private enterprises over 110 hectares. A total of 18,000 low-cost flats will be built, for a cost of 3.5 billion DH (US$ 350 million)

The integrated project also includes 10 schools, three mosques, four public bakeries, two public baths, three football play grounds, other sports facilities, two health centers, two hospitals, a theater, a youth center, a women center and administrative offices

In another neighborhood, the sovereign inquired about a 85 hectare housing project that comprises 16,000 housing units. With a cost of 2.5 billion DH (US$ 25 million), the project features a handicraft and a shopping area and green spaces, in addition to administrative, health and sports facilities

The sovereign also heard explanations on the 3rd phase of Hay Charaf housing project under which 8,000 flats, social facilities, administrative offices and shopping areas will be built. The project will cost 1.3 billion DH (US$ 130 million)

In Sidi Maarouf neighborhood, King Mohammed VI heard explanations on two other housing projects extending over 500,000 square meters, consisting in 79 individual houses and 7,936 apartments. With a total cost of 1.4 billion DH (US$ 140 million), the projects also include a mosque, two schools, a shopping center, a youth center, a women center, sports fields, a health center and other social and administrative facilities

These projects are part of the national program to fight unhealthy housing to which the sovereign has repeatedly called, mainly in a speech in August 2001. The sovereign had spelled out outlines of an ambitious strategy to eradicate shantytowns and provide economical housing with the participation of local councils, authorities, public institutions and the private sector.

The sovereign had appealed to the government to put together the legal, real-estate and financial mechanisms to carry out this major national projects that will give large groups access to decent housing

As part of this policy, King Mohammed VI also put the financing of these projects on top of the Hassan II Fund for Economic and Social Development that earmarked 2 billion DH (US 200 million) for the eradication of shantytowns and the building of low-cost housing in several Moroccan cities, mainly the metropolis of Casablanca

In pursuance of the sovereign's directives, the government has also granted priority to economical housing projects by devising a program to build 100,000 housing units annually nationwide.

Previous Stories:
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  King Mohammed pledges vibrant capital and investments opportunities   (10/12/2002)

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