Jamaâ El-Fna could, within a few months, emerge as a model for heritage restoration that blends memory and innovation.
Under the scorching summer sun, the clatter of hammers and the rumble of excavators now fill the heart of one of Morocco’s most iconic landmarks. Listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2008, Jamaâ El-Fna Square — the beating heart and urban stage of Marrakech — has been undergoing a major redevelopment since late May, with a budget of 160 million dirhams. The city’s aim: to combine heritage preservation with functional modernisation, restoring the site’s full capacity to welcome visitors and enhance its tourism appeal.
The redevelopment plan focuses on four priorities. First, improving pedestrian flow through a reorganisation of access points and better crowd management in a square that can draw tens of thousands of people a day during peak season. Second, upgrading food and beverage areas by tightening hygiene standards and optimising the layout of stalls.
The third component involves relocating the booksellers of Bab Doukkala and herbalists to a designated space in Arset El Bilk, easing congestion while preserving these traditional trades. Finally, the project will introduce new public amenities — including two restroom blocks and a tourist information kiosk — to enhance the visitor experience.
While primarily aesthetic and functional, the work also targets underlying infrastructure: resurfacing roads, modernising public lighting, and integrating digital tools to move toward the concept of a “smart square.” Architectural choices and materials will be carefully selected to preserve the site’s visual identity while meeting modern urban management standards.
The timing of the renovation is strategic. Marrakech, Morocco’s tourism capital, is preparing to host several major cultural and sporting events. The challenge is twofold: to safeguard the authenticity of a space where storytellers, musicians, and traders have mingled for centuries, and to offer visitors a smoother, more comfortable experience that meets the expectations of global tourism.
City officials say the initiative is part of a broader program to upgrade public spaces, ensuring the Red City maintains its position among the world’s most sought-after destinations.
MK/sf/lb/as/APA