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Velodrome Urban Park

Casablanca, Morocco

2020 - 2021

Adaptive ReuseGreen SpacesSportUrban Park

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Project Description

Approach Words: Integrated City, Sustainability, Urban Livability

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

The Velodrome Urban Park project is an adaptive reuse initiative for the Old Velodrome Stadium, built in 1922¹ in the Anfa District² of Casablanca and listed as a national heritage site since 2013.³ This project aims to transform the stadium into an urban park while preserving its original character. The initiative encompasses the rehabilitation of the old stadium and its transformation into an urban park by developing additional green spaces, playgrounds, and public facilities.⁴
This adaptive reuse project is part of a comprehensive national strategyⁱ aimed at preserving and enhancing Casablanca’s tangible and intangible heritage.⁵ The project seeks to improve residents’ quality of life by creating a new public space dedicated to recreation and entertainment,⁶ while preserving the Velodrome’s character.⁷ ⁸

Title: Three-dimensional View of the Velodrome Park.

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Title: An aerial View of the Velodrome Park Before and After Rehabilitation.

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Title: The Platform and the Bike Path After Rehabilitation.

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Title: The Playground Area in the Park.

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Title: Three-dimensional View of the Velodrome Park.

Source: Click Here

Title: An aerial View of the Velodrome Park Before and After Rehabilitation.

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Title: The Platform and the Bike Path After Rehabilitation.

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Title: The Playground Area in the Park.

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The Velodrome Stadium project extends over a total area of 22000 square meters.⁹ It encompasses a range of social, economic, and sports activities,¹⁰ and its implementations is divided into two main aspects:
Rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, which includes the following features:

Rehabilitating the main platform to host concerts and other events,¹¹
Rehabilitating the bike path that extends over 320 meters.¹²

Development of new areas and facilities, which include the following features:

Constructing a “petanque” court,¹³
Establishing a playground zone for children covering an area of 300 square meters,¹⁴
Constructing three pavilions to be used for a restaurant, snack bar and coffee shop,¹⁵
Establishing local shops,¹⁶
Developing 8000 square meters of green spaces.¹⁷

The park’s public and recreational areas attract visitors, particularly individuals from surrounding neighborhoods, local residents, and families seeking relaxation and play areas for their children.¹⁸ The project also attracts athletes, especially cyclists, due to the presence of the bike path.¹⁹ In addition, the park’s proximity to the urban center allows residents to enjoy walking, strolling, or running without the need to travel far from the city.²⁰

Owner/Developer (Public)

Casa Aménagement (SDL)²⁷

Consultant/Designer

Yassir Khalil Studio ²⁸

Casa aménagement (SDL)²⁹

Funder

General Directorate of Local Authorities of the Ministry of the Interior

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports

Casablanca-Settat Region ³⁰

Contractor/Implementer

Casa Aménagement (SDL)³¹

Owner/Developer (Public)

Casa Aménagement (SDL)²⁷

Contractor/Implementer

Casa Aménagement (SDL)³¹

Funder

General Directorate of Local Authorities of the Ministry of the Interior

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports

Casablanca-Settat Region ³⁰

Consultant/Designer

Yassir Khalil Studio ²⁸

Casa aménagement (SDL)²⁹

The project is led by Casa Aménagement (SDL), a public limited-liability company established in October 2008 following the preparation of the “Master Plan for Urban Development (SDAU)” for the Grand Casablanca Region.ⁱⁱ ²¹ Under the supervision of the Architect Yassir Khalil, the project implementation has been carried out. The management of the completed park has been entrusted to Casa Baia,²² which is responsible for establishing an integrated management program encompassing all the park’s components, including green spaces, urban furniture, and playground equipment.²³

The overall cost of the project exceeds $3 million,²⁴ funded by multiple sources: The General Directorate of Local Authorities of the Ministry of the Interior contributed $2 million, while the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Casablanca-Settat Region contributed $0.5 million.²⁵ The Park was inaugurated in 2021 and is open to the public all days of the week with free entrance.²⁶