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A Study Day in Tetouan Focuses on the Development of Integrated Spatial Planning Schemes
In an effort to enhance coordination and consultation among various components of the urban planning and architectural system, the Urban Agency of Tetouan, in partnership with the Regional Council of Architects and the Al Omrane Group – Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, organized a study day in the city of Mdiq. The theme of the event was: “Integrated Spatial Development Plan in the Intervention Area of the Urban Agency of Tetouan and the Regional Engineering and Urban Planning Hub: Reflections and Proposals.”
The meeting was attended by several prominent institutional figures in the urban planning and housing sector, including the Director of the Urban Agency of Tetouan, the General Manager of the Al Omrane Group in the region, the Regional Inspector for Urban Planning and Architecture, and the Regional Planning Director.
The study day opened with a speech from the President of the Regional Council of Architects, who emphasized the importance of the meeting as a space for professional discussion and collective thinking regarding the challenges of urban planning and spatial development.
During the session, the Director of the Urban Agency presented a discussion on urban planning and ways to improve the effectiveness of planning documents, while the General Manager of Al Omrane outlined the company’s approach to supporting housing and urban development projects. The Regional Inspector stressed the need for coordinated interventions and the connection between architectural choices and major spatial options. Additionally, the Urban Agency provided a technical presentation illustrating the role of strategic planning in ensuring coherence and effectiveness in the implementation of development programs at the field level.
The event featured extensive discussions on the key issues facing the urban planning sector, including the limited availability of land and the challenges associated with its mobilization, weak integration between spatial projects, and the difficulties related to linking urban and rural areas. There was also a call for improving road infrastructure, particularly the absence of a highway between Tangier and Tetouan, and respecting the uniqueness of each geographical area concerning environmental, social, and urban aspects.
The study day concluded with a series of recommendations, the most notable of which included adopting a comprehensive classification for the city of Tetouan that encompasses various urban components, rather than just focusing on the old city or new neighborhoods. There was also a recommendation to support the integrated development program as a tool for measuring the effectiveness of planning documents, as well as studying the feasibility of establishing a direct roadway link between Martil and Wadi Lau to enhance the alignment of visions and strengthen the effectiveness of spatial planning.
