King Mohammed VI launches project of the new city of 'Tamansourt'

Morocco's King Mohammed VI launched, in Marrakech Tuesday, the project of the new city of 'Tamansourt,' to cost 10 billion Dhs (around US $1.1 billion), and designed to house over 200,000 people.

The project, stretching on a 1180 Ha area, aims at meeting the needs of the population in terms of housing while preserving the special character of the city of Marrakech.

The new city, located 7 Km from Marrakech, will house 5000 families living in shanty towns with of view to ridding Marrakech from unhealthy housing by 2007 and ending its housing deficit by 2015.

An area of 152 hectares will be put at the disposal of national private property developers to make of the "new city of Tamnsourt" an economic and social pole so as to accompany the projects under way in the region.

The new city will include houses for different social categories, as well as spaces for economic activities and green spaces.