Morocco Pushes for Safer Cities Amid Growing Urban Risks and Climate Threats

With the establishment of regulations, the living conditions of residents of urban areas could improve and the cities will be more functional and productive, not to mention that it will promote adaptation to climate change and disaster risk reduction, and reveal the importance of investments. Moreover, regulations in terms of buildings are one of the best ways to reduce risks related to land use and construction.

For several years now, Morocco has been committed to strengthening its regulatory environment in order to promote the construction of more reassuring, healthier and more resistant buildings. The World Bank is also supporting the kingdom in its decisions, mainly through the Integrated Disaster Risk Management and Resilience Program (2016-2021). This program has been supported by several structures including the Japan-World Bank duo.

However, despite the many efforts and progress, there is still a lot to be done. Thus, the Moroccan authorities must put in place a "strategic action plan to strengthen the regulatory framework". They must also put in place cost-effective instruments to alleviate risks. Moreover, given the importance of the project, the Moroccan authorities plan to bring together the central and regional administration in order to address regulatory shortcomings. For his part, Abdallah Nassif, acting director of the Disaster Risk Management Directorate, intends to support the actions to be implemented in this direction. As for the World Bank, it will continue to mobilize stakeholders in the relevant areas and serve as a guide to the Moroccan government in legislation and regulation.