Placed under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, this event is organized by Casablanca Events in partnership in particular with the wilaya of Casablanca-Settat, the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, Mohammed University VI Polytechnique and Hassan II University of Casablanca.
This new edition of Smart City Casablanca Symposium aims to reflect on the relationship between citizens and low-tech technology in order to resolve the major challenges of urbanization and metropolisation. This year’s theme is covered under an urban planning, economic and ecological triptych. This convergence of humans and low-tech thus suggests the potential of collective intelligence in the co-design and co-construction of the so-called smart city while mobilizing the appropriate tools, resources, goods and services.
Speaking at the opening of this event, the Wali of the Casablanca-Settat Region, Said Ahmidouch stressed that this Symposium takes place in a particular international context marked by economic difficulties, caused by the effects of the years of coronavirus pandemic and tensions. at the international level, which had an impact on the supply and prices of food and energy products, noting that thanks to the combined efforts of all, Morocco was able to overcome the coronavirus crisis and will transcend the challenges generated by the current global situation.
According to the Wali of the Casablanca-Settat region, a number of actors, particularly in the Casablanca metropolis, demonstrated creativity during this crisis through innovative projects relying on digital platforms, emphasizing importance of generalizing and making new technologies accessible.
For his part, Khalid Safir, Wali, Director General of Territorial Communities indicated that Morocco is cited as an example in terms of digital transformation and transition, noting that the Moroccan experience aroused great enthusiasm during the 9th edition of the Summit Africities, held recently in Kenya.
And to emphasize that the Ministry of the Interior is strongly involved at the level of Moroccan local authorities to support them in digital transformation and transition through five main axes, citing in this regard the axes of the digitalization of procedures and professions of local authorities, the generalization of the national territory in terms of telecom coverage, accessibility to young people and citizens of disadvantaged areas, the encouragement of companies to create value and to be part of this digital revolution and the implementation place of citizen participation tools.
For his part, Mohamed Jouahri, General Director of Casablanca Events and Animation indicated that this edition, placed under the high patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, chose the theme “Community intelligence and low-tech innovation” which is is imposed thanks to the lessons learned from two years of Covid-19, noting that during this crisis, Moroccan citizens demonstrated great resilience in order to transcend the constraints of the pandemic.
For him, this resilience has pushed citizens to rely on technologies accessible at the lowest cost, hence the importance of retaining this theme, the goal being to be able to highlight this type of technology and to have the feedback of experiences of other cities in this area, adding that the pandemic is relatively behind us, which gave the opportunity for the return of Smart city to the level of the United Nations to open up to the general public in order to familiarize them on the concept of the Smart city.
As for Hassan Radoine, Director of the School of Architecture, Planning and Design, of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, he noted that the theme of this event is innovative given that it focuses on the means of transforming a metropolis into smart city, noting that the experience of Covid 19 made it possible to observe the means used by the citizens of Casablanca and elsewhere to communicate and how they adopted digital technology and new technologies to overcome this difficult period.
Currently with this digital element, the adoption of technologies by citizens to find solutions makes it possible to provide avenues for real resilience, sustainability and intelligence, he said, emphasizing that the true smart city is the one that explores the wealth of its territories.
The Smart City Casablanca Symposium, which offers a unifying theme, aims to be a crossroads for exchanges and reflection with topics highlighted by renowned speakers and experts. Two days during Smart City Casablanca Symposium is held in hybrid format.
The program includes plenaries under the themes ”Community and low-tech innovation in the making of the city”, “New business models of the low-tech city”, “Low-tech for sustainable and resilient cities”. Likewise, workshops debating the themes of “Low-tech in the service of social equity and inclusive sustainable development”, “Community innovation in the service of Bottom-up governance”, “Low-tech start-ups and businesses social”, “Intelligent technologies and digital sobriety” are also on the menu for this important event.
On the sidelines of the Smart City Casablanca symposium, a village was dedicated to start-ups. Smart City Casablanca Symposium is also open to the general public at the United Nations Square through “Smart City Connect Casablanca”, the objective being to popularize the concept of the Smart City.
Smart City Casablanca Symposium is held in hybrid format. This 2.0 event brings together two audiences present through two different means, namely one of them will attend the event directly and the other will participate digitally thanks to a specially dedicated virtual platform.
Improving urban living. This raises critical questions about the accessibility of these technologies and community engagement in urban planning.
Time.news Editor: Welcome to the Time.news interview series. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Hassan Radoine, Director of the School of Architecture, Planning and Design at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Dr. Radoine, thank you for being here.
Dr. Hassan Radoine: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic.
Editor: The Smart City Casablanca Symposium under the high patronage of HM King Mohammed VI has a fascinating theme this year: “Community Intelligence and Low-Tech Innovation.” What specifically inspired this focus?
Dr. Radoine: The recent global challenges, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the resilience of Moroccan citizens and their ability to adapt. We observed how local communities deployed low-cost digital solutions to navigate through tough times. This experience has paved the way for us to examine how we can further integrate low-tech innovations into urban planning to ensure more accessible and inclusive smart city frameworks.
Editor: In light of these developments, how do you see the relationship between digital transformation and urbanization evolving in Morocco?
Dr. Radoine: It’s exciting to see that Morocco is being cited as a leader in digital transformation, especially given our efforts to integrate digital tools in urban planning and governance. The collaboration between local authorities and communities is essential. By recognizing the importance of providing equal access to digital resources, we can empower citizens to engage in the smart city concept actively. This collective intelligence is key to overcoming urban challenges.
Editor: You mentioned the importance of community engagement. To what extent do you believe citizen participation can influence the planning and development of smart cities?
Dr. Radoine: Community participation is crucial. It’s not just about implementing technology; it’s about ensuring that these technologies meet the actual needs of the residents. By involving citizens in the planning process, we can tap into local knowledge and insights, leading to solutions that are not only innovative but also culturally relevant. When citizens are part of the conversation, they are more likely to support and utilize new technologies, which is vital for the success of smart city initiatives.
Editor: KMohammed Jouahri highlighted the resilience shown by citizens during the pandemic. How can we leverage this resilience to foster a culture of innovation in urban planning?
Dr. Radoine: The resilience we witnessed during the pandemic can indeed serve as a catalyst for future innovation. We can create platforms that foster collaboration between citizens, local authorities, and tech companies. By sharing experiences and challenges, we can encourage grassroots innovations. Educational initiatives that promote digital literacy, particularly in underserved communities, will also be essential in sustaining this culture of innovation.
Editor: The Wali of Casablanca-Settat pointed out the economic challenges exacerbated by global crises. How do you see low-tech innovations contributing to economic resilience in urban areas?
Dr. Radoine: Low-tech innovations can be a tremendous equalizer in times of economic strife. They often require fewer resources, and their accessibility allows communities to implement solutions that enhance daily living. For example, local recycling initiatives or sustainable energy projects not only improve local economies but also reduce dependency on imported technologies. This grassroots approach can stimulate local markets and create job opportunities, which is critical in fostering economic resilience.
Editor: Lastly, what future developments do you envision for smart cities in Morocco, particularly in the context of community empowerment and technology access?
Dr. Radoine: I envision a future where Moroccan cities serve as models of inclusivity and sustainability. This will require continuous efforts to democratize access to technology and promote digital literacy. Institutions, including universities and local governments, will need to collaborate closely with communities to ensure that all voices are heard. Ultimately, by blending high-tech capabilities with low-tech solutions, we can build cities that are not only smart but also human-centered.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Radoine, for sharing your insights on this significant topic. As we embrace innovation and community-driven approaches, it’s clear that the future of urban living in Morocco holds great promise.
Dr. Radoine: Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how these discussions evolve and contribute to better urban environments for everyone.