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Bouskoura-Merchich Forest Development Project

Casablanca, Morocco

2015 - Ongoing

BiodiversityGreen SpacesRecreationalUrban Afforestation

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Project Description

Approach Words: Environment Preservation, Sustainability, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Organization, Physical Intervention, Planning

The Bouskoura-Merchich Forest Project is a landscaping and recreational development of the Bouskoura-Merchich Forest located in the Casablanca suburbs, approximately 20 kilometers from the city center.¹ The project consists of rehabilitating the forest and creating equipped recreational public spaces.² Known as one of Casablanca’s green lungs, the forest covers an area of 29.92 square kilometers. It is predominantly covered with eucalyptus trees, reaching a total of 11.87 square kilometers, and contributes to forestry operations.³
The forest development project is part of the Greater Casablanca Development Plan 2014-2020 (PDGC)ⁱ ⁴ and aims to create a healthy and secure environment for visitors and forest users, meeting their growing needs for relaxation and recreational spaces while ensuring the sustainable management of the forest ecosystem.⁵ ⁶

Title: Location of Bouskoura-Merchich Forest in the Greater Casablanca Development Plan.

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Title: Bouskoura-Merchich Forest Master Plan.

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Title: Aerial View of Bouskoura Forest.

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Title: House of Ecology at Bouskoura Forest.

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Title: Location of Bouskoura-Merchich Forest in the Greater Casablanca Development Plan.

Source: Click Here

Title: Bouskoura-Merchich Forest Master Plan.

Source: Click Here

Title: Aerial View of Bouskoura Forest.

Source: Click Here

Title: House of Ecology at Bouskoura Forest.

Source: Click Here

To implement the project’s objectives, the development of the forest is organized into four major spatial sectors, balancing between the preservation of the ecosystem and suitable public access:⁷

The Little Canton (the active forest)⁸ is designed for sports and leisure. It includes four playgrounds comprising 27 units covering 7,483 square meters, a reception area, 17.2 kilometers of pedestrian and bicycle tracks, a restaurant, eight sanitary blocks, an 800-meter pathway, and five access doors.⁹
The Laboratory Forest aims to raise awareness and sensitization to the forest ecosystem.¹⁰ It features a playground,¹¹ a house of ecology and ecosystems (8 buildings),¹² a house of agriculture,¹³ an ecological garden,¹⁴ two reception areas, and sanitary facilities.¹⁵
The Forest of Discovery serves as a knowledge space for the fauna and flora of the forest.¹⁶ It contains ten tree shelters, a sensory path, a recreational clearing, two reception areas, sanitary facilities, a rest area, and a playground.¹⁷
The Young Forest represents the forest’s biorhythm and includes a lookout tower,¹⁸ circuits and equipment, an adventure park, and the house of the big forest.¹⁹

The project also includes the development of the Royal Gendarmerie’s equestrian division and three brigades: the Dog Brigade, the Bicycle Brigade for the Royal Gendarmerie, and the Teams Brigade for the Auxiliary Forces.²⁰

Owner/Developer (Public)

High Commission for Water and Forests and the Fight Against Desertification ²⁷

Consultant/Designer

Carey Duncan

Fadel El Guerraoui

Arep ville ²⁸

Funder

Ministry of Interior (DGCL)

High Commission for Water and Forests and the Fight Against Desertification

Casablanca-Settat region ²⁹

Contractor/Implementer

Casa Aménagement ³⁰

Owner/Developer (Public)

High Commission for Water and Forests and the Fight Against Desertification ²⁷

Contractor/Implementer

Casa Aménagement ³⁰

Funder

Ministry of Interior (DGCL)

High Commission for Water and Forests and the Fight Against Desertification

Casablanca-Settat region ²⁹

Consultant/Designer

Carey Duncan

Fadel El Guerraoui

Arep ville ²⁸

The forest’s recreational and ecological areas attract visitors from the city and surrounding neighborhoods, including individuals, residents, and families seeking relaxation and play areas for children. The project also attracts athletes, especially cyclists and runners, due to the presence of pedestrian and bicycle tracks.²¹

The project was initiated by the High Commission for Water and Forests and the Fight Against Desertification²² and implemented by Casablanca Aménagement, a public limited-liability company established in October 2008 following the Master Plan for Urban Development (SDAU) for the Grand Casablanca Region.²³ ²⁴ The project master plan was designed by a consortium formed by the Carey Duncan studio, Fadel El Guerraoui and Arep ville.²⁵
The project cost over $11 million, funded with $4 million by the Ministry of Interior (DGCL), $4 million by the High Commission for Water and Forests and the Fight Against Desertification, and $3 million by the Casablanca-Settat region.²⁶

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich

Endnotes

i More info about the Master Plan for Urban Development for Greater Casablanca (SDAU) is available at this link: https://www.leconomiste.com/sites/default/files/Sch%C3%A9ma%20directeur%20d’am%C3%A9nagement%20urbain%20du%20Grand%20Casablanca_0.pdf (accessed on 16 July 2024).

References

Zerrour, L. (2018). ‘Projet d’aménagement de la forêt de Bouskoura : Livraison prévue en juillet prochain’. Aujourd’hui le Maroc. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://aujourdhui.ma/societe/projet-damenagement-de-la-foret-de-bouskoura-livraison-prevue-en-juillet-prochain>
‘BOUSKOURA | Bouskoura-Merchich Forest Management | 2992 ha | $11 million (110 MMDH) | July 2018 | #Realized | SkyscraperCity Forum’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 24, 2024, from <https://www.skyscrapercity.com/threads/bouskoura-bouskoura-merchich-forest-management-2992-ha-11-million-110-mmdh-july-2018-realized.1876587/>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
Zerrour, L. (2018). ‘Projet d’aménagement de la forêt de Bouskoura : Livraison prévue en juillet prochain’. Aujourd’hui le Maroc. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://aujourdhui.ma/societe/projet-damenagement-de-la-foret-de-bouskoura-livraison-prevue-en-juillet-prochain>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
Zerrour, L. (2018). ‘Projet d’aménagement de la forêt de Bouskoura : Livraison prévue en juillet prochain’. Aujourd’hui le Maroc. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://aujourdhui.ma/societe/projet-damenagement-de-la-foret-de-bouskoura-livraison-prevue-en-juillet-prochain>
‘BOUSKOURA | Bouskoura-Merchich Forest Management | 2992 ha | $11 million (110 MMDH) | July 2018 | #Realized | SkyscraperCity Forum’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 24, 2024, from <https://www.skyscrapercity.com/threads/bouskoura-bouskoura-merchich-forest-management-2992-ha-11-million-110-mmdh-july-2018-realized.1876587/>
‘BOUSKOURA | Bouskoura-Merchich Forest Management | 2992 ha | $11 million (110 MMDH) | July 2018 | #Realized | SkyscraperCity Forum’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 24, 2024, from <https://www.skyscrapercity.com/threads/bouskoura-bouskoura-merchich-forest-management-2992-ha-11-million-110-mmdh-july-2018-realized.1876587/>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
‘Casablanca se préoccupe enfin’. (n.d.). l’économiste. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.cfcim.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Casablanca3.pdf>
‘Casablanca se préoccupe enfin’. (n.d.). l’économiste. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.cfcim.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Casablanca3.pdf>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
Zerrour, L. (2018). ‘Projet d’aménagement de la forêt de Bouskoura : Livraison prévue en juillet prochain’. Aujourd’hui le Maroc. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://aujourdhui.ma/societe/projet-damenagement-de-la-foret-de-bouskoura-livraison-prevue-en-juillet-prochain>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/nos-projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
‘BOUSKOURA-MERCHICH FOREST | Centre Régional d’Investissement de Casablanca-Settat’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 24, 2024, from <https://casainvest.ma/en/projets/foret-de-bouskoura-merchich>
Zerrour, L. (2018). ‘Projet d’aménagement de la forêt de Bouskoura : Livraison prévue en juillet prochain’. Aujourd’hui le Maroc. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://aujourdhui.ma/societe/projet-damenagement-de-la-foret-de-bouskoura-livraison-prevue-en-juillet-prochain>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/casa-amenagement/presentation>
Zerrour, L. (2018). ‘Projet d’aménagement de la forêt de Bouskoura : Livraison prévue en juillet prochain’. Aujourd’hui le Maroc. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://aujourdhui.ma/societe/projet-damenagement-de-la-foret-de-bouskoura-livraison-prevue-en-juillet-prochain>
‘Casablanca se préoccupe enfin’. (n.d.). l’économiste. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.cfcim.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Casablanca3.pdf>
Zerrour, L. (2018). ‘Projet d’aménagement de la forêt de Bouskoura : Livraison prévue en juillet prochain’. Aujourd’hui le Maroc. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://aujourdhui.ma/societe/projet-damenagement-de-la-foret-de-bouskoura-livraison-prevue-en-juillet-prochain>
Zerrour, L. (2018). ‘Projet d’aménagement de la forêt de Bouskoura : Livraison prévue en juillet prochain’. Aujourd’hui le Maroc. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://aujourdhui.ma/societe/projet-damenagement-de-la-foret-de-bouskoura-livraison-prevue-en-juillet-prochain>
‘Casablanca se préoccupe enfin’. (n.d.). l’économiste. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.cfcim.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Casablanca3.pdf>
Zerrour, L. (2018). ‘Projet d’aménagement de la forêt de Bouskoura : Livraison prévue en juillet prochain’. Aujourd’hui le Maroc. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://aujourdhui.ma/societe/projet-damenagement-de-la-foret-de-bouskoura-livraison-prevue-en-juillet-prochain>
‘Casa Aménagement – Vecteur de développement territorial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 1, 2024, from <https://www.casa-amenagement.ma/en/casa-amenagement/presentation>