Speaking at the opening of the conference, initiated by the EMARA scientific chair on the Moroccan-Andalusian heritage of the UM6P, the director of UM6P France, Fahd Benkirane indicated that “Mediterranean cities, at the heart of historical and cultural exchanges and economic, are living witnesses to the richness and complexity of our shared heritage.
Taking Tetouan as an example, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, he stressed that this city is a “true synthesis of Moroccan and Andalusian cultures”. “The historic city of Tetouan presents particularities which influenced the architectural and artistic development of the time of the Spanish protectorate,” he said.
“Understanding and preserving this history, while integrating contemporary issues of resilience and sustainability, is essential to envisage a future respectful of local cultures,” he continued.
He also indicated that the UM6P, whose main mission is the development of knowledge, science and technology, has set great ambitions, particularly in terms of sustainable development, recalling the organization by the university of several events dedicated to the resilience of African cities in a context of rapid urbanization on the continent.
And to specify that this conference – which has the theme “Morocco-Andalusian Urban and Territorial Heritage: Innovation, Resilience and Sustainability” – through its different sessions, aims to draw lessons from Moroccan urban and territorial architectural heritage in order to innovate for the cities and territories of tomorrow in Africa.
For his part, the director of world heritage at UNESCO, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, indicated, via videoconference, that the Mediterranean cities listed as heritage of the UN organization bear witness to an age-old interconnection illustrating the historical richness of the region, but also the complex dynamics that have shaped urban revolutions.
The management of this world heritage, he stressed, requires “a collaborative approach” integrating traditional know-how and contemporary innovations.
In the urban management of historic cities, universities play “a key role” as a center of research and innovation, noted the UN official, noting that their ability to engage youth, train interdisciplinary experts, facilitate The integration of traditional knowledge and contemporary approaches and developing sustainable solutions is “indispensable”.
And to emphasize that Morocco has a lot to offer to the understanding and sustainable management of natural, cultural and community ecosystems.
“Morocco’s traditional hydraulic systems are impressive testimonies of human ingenuity in the face of water challenges in an arid environment and offer valuable lessons on the sustainable management of natural resources,” he said in this regard. .
He added that the influence of Moroccan-Andalusian architecture and culture in Africa, but also in Latin America, is “a fascinating example” of how cultural exchanges transcend geographical and temporal boundaries enriching cultures and local practices and creating functional and sustainable urban environments.
With this conference, he assured, the EMARA Chair aligns with the principles of the 2011 UNESCO recommendation on the historic urban landscape and contributes to achieving target 4 of Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities by strengthening efforts to protect and preserve the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
For his part, Hassan Radoine, urban architect and coordinator of the EMARA-UM6P scientific chair, indicated that in a global context marked by climatic, socio-economic and environmental challenges, the resilience of heritage is becoming “a crucial issue”.
“We know that heritage must not only be a passive witness to the past, but must be able to adapt, evolve and find solutions to current crises,” he explained, noting that “ Moroccan-Andalusian heritage, as an emblematic example, shows us that it is possible to create resilient systems, where traditional know-how can combine with modern techniques to meet future challenges.
Mr. Radoine also highlighted the “essential link” between sustainability and heritage. “Heritage must not only be protected, but it must also contribute to a sustainable vision of urban planning,” he said, adding that contemporary urban planning practices must be inspired by the capacity of ancient structures. to manage resources efficiently, to be integrated into their natural environment and to minimize their ecological footprint.
And to conclude: “It is our duty to ensure that heritage is transmitted intact to future generations while meeting the requirements of sustainable development.”
The program of this conference included several thematic panels, including: “shared urban heritage: the dynamics of interconnected Mediterranean cities”, “the role of universities in the planning and urban management of historic cities (medinas)”, “traveling heritage of Moroccan-Andalusian arts and architectural design in Latin America” and “from the exploration of the resilient heritage of hydraulic systems to the sustainable resolutions of optimization”.
2024-10-07 19:54:57