Aziza Chaouni: How I brought a river, and my city, back to life

Summary

The Fez River Rehabilitation Project revitalizes the historic medina of Fez, Morocco, addressing decades of neglect and pollution. After receiving a grant to treat sewage, architects Takako Tajima and her partner transformed riverbanks into pedestrian pathways and public spaces, including the Rcif Plaza and a playground made from recycled materials. The project emphasizes collaboration over individual authorship, aiming to reconnect the community with the river and promote sustainability. As the project progresses, it reimagines the architect's role in fostering vibrant public spaces, ensuring the city remains a living entity rather than a static heritage site.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Fez River Rehabilitation Project aims to restore the Fez River in Morocco, a crucial element of the city's identity.
• 🌍 Fez's medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, facing challenges due to urbanization and pollution since the 1950s.
• 🚧 Urban infrastructure deterioration has led to the covering of the river with concrete and the destruction of riverside homes.
• 💧 Pollution from untreated sewage and industrial waste has severely affected the river's health.
• 🚀 The project was initiated after a city grant was received for sewage diversion and treatment, enabling the river's restoration.
• 🛤️ The design includes pedestrian pathways along the riverbanks and the transformation of urban voids into public spaces.
• 🏞️ Two key interventions: Rcif Plaza, a pedestrian space above the river, and a playground created from recycled materials.
• 🛠️ Collaboration with various stakeholders was crucial to adapt the project to changing goals while maintaining its core objectives.
• 🔄 The project exemplifies a shift in the role of architects from designers to activists, focusing on community needs.
• 🌱 The ongoing efforts are transforming the river from a polluted space to a vibrant public area, ensuring Fez remains a living city.

Q & A

What is the Fez River Rehabilitation Project?

It is a project aimed at uncovering and rehabilitating the Fez River in Morocco, which has suffered from pollution and urban neglect, transforming it into a public space for the community.

Why is the Fez River significant to the city of Fez?

The Fez River is considered the soul of the city, historically linked to the water network that served both public and private fountains throughout the medina.

What urban challenges did the Fez medina face since the 1950s?

The medina faced a rapid population growth that led to stress on urban infrastructure, including a lack of green spaces and the pollution of the Fez River due to untreated sewage and industrial waste.

What were the initial conditions of the Fez River before the project?

Before the project, the river was covered with concrete slabs, highly polluted, and parts of it had become illegal parking lots or trash yards.

How did the project team gain the opportunity to work on the river rehabilitation?

The city received a grant to divert sewage water and treat it, which allowed the project team, led by the speaker and Takako Tajima, to propose a plan to uncover the river.

What innovative proposals did the team make for the riverbanks?

The team proposed converting the riverbanks into pedestrian pathways and transforming urban voids into public spaces, including a plaza and a playground.

What were some key features of the Rcif Plaza in the rehabilitation project?

Rcif Plaza was redesigned as a pedestrian area with recycled leather canopies, replacing a chaotic transportation hub, and it connects directly to the riverbanks.

What purpose does the playground serve in the medina?

The playground, constructed from recycled tires, serves as the first playground in the medina and is designed to clean river water through a constructed wetland while providing recreational space for children.

How did changing project goals affect the initial design?

As new stakeholders became involved, the project goals and design changed, requiring the team to set aside their design ego and focus on activism and collaboration to achieve the main objectives.

What future changes are anticipated for the Fez River and its surrounding areas?

The project aims to continually adapt to the sociopolitical landscape, transforming the river from a polluted entity into vibrant public spaces for the community, ensuring that Fez remains a living city.