The Green & Resilient UrbanShift Africa Forum 2025, held from February 17 to 21 in Nairobi, was marked by the active presence of Morocco, whose delegation highlighted ambitious initiatives and concrete solutions for the sustainable development of African cities.
A committed Moroccan delegation for more resilient cities
Morocco was represented by a delegation of twenty national and local actors, including partners from the Marrakech Sustainable City Program. During discussions, the country advocated for a nature-based approach to adapt urban spaces to current and future climate challenges.
Marrakech at the forefront of sustainable urban planning
Karam Amzil, Coordinator of the Marrakech Sustainable City Project, detailed the flagship initiatives of the ochre city, particularly in terms of water management, urban greening, and biodiversity conservation. Among the key projects are:
The reuse of treated wastewater to irrigate green spaces, including golf courses and the palm grove.
The rehabilitation of historic gardens and the development of a Youth Forest, an ecological and social project.
In the face of rapid urbanization and the effects of climate change, Mr. Amzil emphasized the adoption of ambitious strategies aimed at improving Marrakech’s resilience, particularly to combat water scarcity and biodiversity loss.
Combating heat islands and rethinking urban planning
Ms. Amal Nadim, Head of the Environment, Energy, Climate, and Biodiversity Team at UNDP-Morocco, highlighted the challenges of urban heat islands, a phenomenon exacerbated by:
Excessive densification of cities.
The use of inappropriate construction materials.
The gradual disappearance of green spaces.
To address this, Ms. Nadim advocated for a redesign of urban planning policies, encouraging:
The expansion of green spaces and the planting of trees in cities.
The creation of ecological corridors to preserve biodiversity.
The integration of advanced technologies to collect and analyze precise environmental data, essential for effective decision-making.
A sustainable vision driven by the UrbanShift initiative
The Marrakech Sustainable City project, which is part of the UrbanShift program, perfectly illustrates this desire for innovation and urban resilience. By focusing on natural solutions and ecological management strategies, Morocco affirms its commitment to more sustainable and inclusive cities.
During her speech, Ms. Nadim concluded with a quote from Jacques Chirac, which still resonates today in the face of environmental challenges: “Our house is burning and we are looking elsewhere.”
Through this notable participation, Morocco confirms its role as a leading African nation in sustainable urban development, and its commitment to transforming its cities into models of resilience in the face of climate change.
