“This vision with strategic dimensions comes from the deep conviction of the government and its commitment to erecting real territorial poles of development”, indicated Mr. Akhannouch who presented a presentation during the plenary session devoted to the answers of the head of government to questions relating to general policy in the House of Representatives on “urban planning and housing policy and its impact on economic dynamics and social and spatial development”.
In this sense, he noted that the development of these centers as levers of human development and social promotion, and as main partners of the State, is dependent on the establishment of a prospective and global vision in matters of national territorial planning and support for integrated development projects in the rural world, in addition to the emergence of a new generation of urban documents promoting renovated urban management.
It is also, he continued, about supporting national needs in the field of housing by strengthening housing programs and remedying the imbalances raised in terms of unsanitary housing, in addition to an update judicious implementation of the direct housing assistance program, in accordance with the High Royal Guidelines, without omitting the measures taken for the reconstruction of the areas affected by the Al Haouz earthquake as an “exceptional emergency having required an exceptional mobilization of all sectors concerned behind HM King Mohammed VI”.
Mr. Akhannouch also noted that the government launched the National Dialogue on Urban Planning and Housing in September 2022, with the aim of laying the foundations for a unified and participatory approach, in accordance with the far-sighted vision of HM the King, with the involvement of various actors and partners, the objective being to meet the challenges and explore new avenues in terms of spatial and urban development, in order to establish residential spaces as platforms appropriate for sectoral convergence and public interventions, and a catalyst for wealth creation and resource sustainability.
He further noted that the consultative meetings at the regional level constituted an important opportunity to exchange points of view, open the debate on the future of urban planning in Morocco, and carry out urban planning and habitat of real spaces to meet the social and economic challenge in a national and international context marked by profound changes in both urban and rural areas.
The results of the regional town planning and housing meetings highlighted, he specified, the need to update the land use planning system by revising the legal framework governing the planning procedure. development and approval of urban documents, in addition to the strengthening of mechanisms to simplify procedures relating to the examination and issuance of various construction permits, and the appointment of a regional contact person to ensure support for the construction site of the advanced regionalization and the implementation of the new investment charter.
Mr. Akhannouch noted that the executive initiated the reform of this strategic sector as part of a global system of public policy reform, dictated by national contexts linked to the mobilization of all the necessary means capable of guaranteeing supporting the demographic transformations that the Kingdom has experienced in recent years, by moving forward to initiate “a rupture” capable of filling the gaps and remedying the dysfunctions that have marred this sector, while assuming full political responsibility to bring about the expected change in this area.
While emphasizing the importance given by the government to issues of town planning and housing, and their multiple dimensions within the framework of national and spatial development processes, he noted that the executive is fully “aware of the challenges of the transition towards territorial spaces and sustainable cities which make it possible to seize the social and economic opportunities available.