Introduction
This section is the city profile for Benguerir. The profile attempts to present the most important information about Benguerir and the ASToN project, drawing on information gathered through a questionnaire and 2 day city visit.Over the course of the city visit, the ASToN team facilitated workshops with Rehamna Province to understand their ambitions and concerns for the project.
About the city
Benguerir is the capital of Rehamna Province, Morocco, north of Marrakesh. It was a small, traditional town which has in recent years presented itself as a centre of innovation and technological excellence. In 2009, it launched the “Green City” set next to the historical town. Overall, the city is home to a very young popu- lation, of which 40% are under the age of 20. The city faces challenges surrounding low prospects in education and healthcare, as well as high unemployment.
Whereas the Green City has been home to large amounts of investment in the construction of a new high-tech district, there is clearly a divide between the old and new parts of the town.
About the ASToN member
The ASToN Member is Rehamna Province, with SADV (Société d’aménagement et développement vert), a subsidiary of OCP (Office Chérifien des Phosphates) responsible for planning within the Green City. SADV will therefore be the focal point of the ASToN project, with strong involvement of the Rehamna Governorate in decision making.
The broad objective of the city authority is for the whole city to become a ‘green city’, which in 2023 is nurturing local talent and is a place of social cohesion and a pleasant life.
Governance of Morocco is gradually becoming more decentralised. The governor of the region is selected by the King of Morocco, and the local council is elected. The local authority, Benguerir Town Hall, is responsible for services and considers itself a “one-stop-shop” for citizens, but has less power in decision making than the governor.
