World Bank to finance rehabilitation of Morocco's historic Fez Medina
Morocco, Economics, 10/30/1998

The World Bank on Thursday approved two loans worth $14 million to help conserve and rehabilitate Morocco's ancient walled city of Fez-Medina, particularly the historic housing sections and the surrounding environs.

While expanding ongoing conservation efforts, the project intends to use the rehabilitation process as a means of alleviating poverty in the area.

Fez-Medina has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1976 and an important Moroccan commercial and cultural center.

The World Bank, with UNESCO and its Moroccan and international partners, conducted a series of comprehensive social, economic, and institutional analyses while preparing the project. "These studies now provide a detailed road-map and valuable lessons learned for those engaged in the rehabilitation of historic cities," said Project Team Leader Francois Amiot. "They highlight two key factors of success: partnership and the 'cultural alliance' of all stakeholders."

The project will target the 150,000 residents of the Medina, with special attention to those living in poverty, about 52,700. Roughly one-third of the residents would benefit directly from improved infrastructure, including an emergency network to improve access for medical emergencies, fire brigades, and security services.

Some 10,000 jobs will be created over the next 15 years, in part targeting the poor through the project's rehabilitation program and a special training program. To improve environmental protection in the area, the project will support a solid waste collection program as well as pollution reduction programs.

Local capacity to plan and carry out the various project components will also be strengthened. A comprehensive Geographic Information System, now linked with planning and cost estimate tools, will support supervision of the project.

Previous Stories:
  Living cost index up 3.1 percent during first eight months   (10/13/1998)
  New medical college in Fez, Morocco fights transmissible diseases   (9/14/1998)
  Morocco's beatiful city of Fez to get many cultural centers   (4/23/1998)

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