Essaouira, first Moroccan city to become slum-free

The Atlantic city of Essaouira has become the first Moroccan slum-free city, after the last shanty town was destroyed and its inhabitants relocated in modern flats.

The "Diabat" operation, the last one of the kind, has allowed to relocate 25 families.

The program is part of a nationwide project, launched on July 22, 2004, by King Mohammed VI. It is estimated at MAD 17 billions (over US$ 2 billion), with the Moroccan state bringing a contribution of with MAD 5.5 billion (US$ 687,5 million).

Due to be completed in 2010, the program projects an annual 100,000 low-cost flats, in close collaboration with private enterprises, with a housing unit to cost between MAD 80,000 and 120,000, between US$ 10,000 and (US$ 15,000).