Renewal of Urban Planning for a Better Urban Future

The urbanisation of territories worldwide has reached an unprecedented level and is still rising at the beginning of the 21st century. In Morocco, nearly 65% of the population is living in the cities and the urban centres, which are considered as the motors of development for local and national economies, as they concentrate 75% of the creation wealth and 70% of global investments in the country.

This rapid urbanisation raises important challenges at many levels: social, environmental, resilience, employment, housing, mobility, access to facilities, reduction of territorial disparities, etc. The spread of covid-19 has impacted the urban and the economic systems, and it is challenging the resilience of cities and their transition to a new urban model, more innovative, inclusive and attractive. Therefore, cities and metropolises have a major role to play in supporting post-pandemic recovery and require an innovative national urban policy to ensure the transition toward a new urban model of smart, resilient and inclusive cities.

Morocco is committed to establish the foundations of a sustainable and renewed urban planning in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the commitments of the New Urban Agenda. Indeed, the new development model of Morocco by 2035, which has been elaborated under the enlightened guidance of His Majesty the King Mohamed the 6th, calls for the adoption of a "national reference framework for urban development" and a renewed approach to award an integrated urban planning that is centered on the well-being of the citizens and their quality of living environment according to the Sustainable Development Goals.

In this context, Morocco is facing a real paradigm shift by renewing the foundations of urban planning and rethinking the way to develop, plan; design territories and support the transition to a new urban model inclusive and resilient aimed to stimulate a new dynamic of development and a sustainable economic growth that will generates social prosperity. This renewal of urban planning is an imperative for a better urban future and enshrines the principles of the "right to the city", and promotes a new more resilient mode of urban design.

This approach will renew the urban forms, encourage the "intelligent" density, the functional mix, the versatility, the quality of public spaces and respond to the needs of populations in terms of access to urban services and facilities. The organization of this Networking Event, which is a great occasion to bring together institutions and experts, and also will be an opportunity to debate and exchange around the theme of "Renewal of urban planning for a better urban future", and share Morocco's successful experiences, good practices and innovative models of sustainable and inclusive urban development.