The earthquake that struck Morocco a week ago left thousands of people homeless and tens of thousands of homes destroyed. As the country faces immediate search and rescue challenges, the question of reconstruction is already looming. How to rebuild after such a disaster? This is a question that Moroccan authorities and architects must now answer.
A priority: collective facilities
Reconstruction must begin with community facilities such as schools, mosques and dispensaries. In Marrakech alone, 86 schools were affected by the earthquake. Architects work in collaboration with authorities to establish reconstruction plans that will meet the needs of the community. They also insist on the importance of not repeating the mistakes of the past and of developing an integrated architectural model that will improve the quality of life of residents.
The housing challenge
Regarding homes, it is still too early to provide a precise estimate of the number of buildings destroyed. However, it is clear that the challenge of reconstruction is titanic. Authorities have chosen to categorize buildings that have suffered major damage and not allow residents to occupy them, even if they are still standing. This measure aims to protect the population from a possible collapse. It will be necessary to assess the extent of the damage and decide whether the buildings should be destroyed or renovated.
Road rehabilitation
Emergency services are still working to find people under the rubble. But to reach the most remote villages, it is essential to restore the roads damaged by the earthquake. A large-scale mobilization was launched to clear the access roads. Public works companies responded and deployed a fleet of heavy equipment to restore the roads. Thanks to these efforts, 80% of the cut roads have already been reopened.
Reconstruction as an opportunity
Although the earthquake caused enormous destruction, it also provides an opportunity to build back better. Moroccan architects are determined to work urgently, but without haste. They advocate for an integrated project that will take into account the needs of the community and improve resilience to natural disasters. Rebuilding after an earthquake is a complex process that requires strong coordination and expertise. Morocco is ready to take on this challenge and rebuild with the future in mind.
In conclusion, the earthquake in Morocco left the country facing significant reconstruction challenges. The priorities are to rehabilitate community facilities, determine the future of damaged homes and restore roads to facilitate access to affected areas.. Moroccan architects play a key role in this process, advocating for an integrated approach and working to improve the quality of life of residents. Rebuilding after a disaster is an opportunity to rethink and build back better, and Morocco is determined to take advantage of it.