Architectural Approaches to Upgrading Informal Settlements in Morocco

Abstract

This paper examines the architectural approaches to upgrading informal settlements (bidonvilles) in Morocco, focusing on the current situation, existing challenges, and creative design-based solutions. Informal settlements remain one of the country’s most critical urban issues, reflecting social inequality, housing shortages, and rapid urbanization. Despite governmental efforts through the Villes Sans Bidonvilles (Cities Without Slums) program, many citizens continue to live in unsafe, overcrowded, and poorly serviced environments that fail to meet basic human needs. These settlements not only affect the daily lives of residents but also create larger urban, social, and environmental problems for Moroccan cities. This paper explores how architecture and design can contribute to sustainable upgrading strategies, emphasizing the importance of creativity, cultural understanding, and participatory design in shaping more inclusive and humane urban spaces.