Morocco Incivility Crisis: Waste, Aggression, Road Safety

Waste thrown in the street, dirt, pollution and degradation of public facilities top the list of incivilities most observed in Morocco. According to a survey conducted by the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), 77% of respondents cite cleanliness and the environment among the behaviors that pose the most problems in public spaces.

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Aggression, harassment and hostile remarks follow closely behind. These disrespectful behaviors are reported by 74% of respondents. They reflect another form of incivility, less visible than abandoned waste on a sidewalk, but equally burdensome in daily life, particularly in the street, public transport, administrations or places with high foot traffic.

The road is the third major problem area. Non-compliance with traffic laws and dangerous behaviors are cited by 40% of those surveyed. The CESE recalls that civism is not limited to politeness or cleanliness, but also concerns the way one drives, crosses, shares the public road and respects the safety of others.

The spaces most affected by these behaviors are first and foremost public roads and urban spaces, cited by 67% of respondents. Next come public transport and public services, each mentioned by 61% of those surveyed. Natural sites and beaches are also affected, with 37%, while the Internet and social networks also appear as spaces of incivism for 26% of respondents.

For the Moroccans surveyed, efforts should therefore focus primarily on everyday places. Expectations focus first on public services, then on streets and urban spaces, as well as public transport. These places concentrate the most frequent interactions and the most visible tensions.

The CESE believes that civism in public spaces cannot rely solely on awareness-raising. It also recommends strengthening the enforcement of rules, improving infrastructure and better organizing the use of public spaces. The idea is to combat impunity, but also to reduce situations that encourage uncivil behavior.

This expectation is widely shared. According to the survey, 86% of Moroccans support the application of sanctions against uncivil behavior. The report insists, however, on the need for a more comprehensive approach, combining education, prevention, institutional exemplarity, citizen participation and improvement of living conditions.

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For the CESE, the issue goes beyond the simple question of cleanliness or discipline. It is about making public space a common good, better respected and better shared. A question that also takes on particular importance as Morocco prepares to host major international events.