The Traditional Building Cultures Foundation is collaborating with Union for the Mediterranean and the UNESCO in the organization of a series of meetings as part of the program Savoir-faire traditionnels de la construction dans le sud de la Méditerranée.
The third of these meetings, after those held in Barcelona last July and in Tunisia last December, took place from February 28 to March 1 in Morocco, one of the countries that are part of the program. The event was organized in collaboration with Morocco’s Ministère de l’Aménagement du Territoire National, de l’Urbanisme, de l’Habitat et de la Politique de la Ville. A large number of national and international experts have participated in it.
The meeting focused on the possibilities offered by traditional building, architecture and urban planning for the earthquake-resistant reconstruction of the country. To this end, examples of good practices in terms of awareness, conservation and enhancement of vernacular architecture, as well as the promotion of local materials and traditional construction techniques, were identified and showcased. Following the recent earthquake in Morocco at the end of 2023, which devastated several regions of the country, the event was particularly relevant.
Over the course of three days, innovative solutions based on the principles of traditional building and the use of local materials and vernacular techniques were studied, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the local heritage against future earthquakes. Several site visits have also been organized, which have allowed local and international experts to see first-hand the state of the buildings after the earthquake.
The meeting was highly beneficial for exchanging experiences, identifying limitations and difficulties, proposing measures and making recommendations to achieve the expected objectives.
