Rabat's Ocean District Faces Growing Expropriation Efforts
The city of Rabat is currently experiencing significant developments regarding expropriations in the Ocean district, as a new project aims to expand the areas subjected to property acquisition. This initiative stems from a proposed order concerning the transfer of parcels within this vibrant neighborhood, which has reignited discussions about the use of expropriation following unsuccessful attempts at amicable acquisitions. Despite official statements suggesting otherwise, the scope of properties affected in the capital is widening, raising alarms among local residents and property owners.
According to the proposed order, which has yet to be officially published, the initiative is backed by a partnership agreement established in February 2024 between the State Property Directorate and the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region's Wilaya. This agreement focuses on acquiring real estate properties located in the Ocean district of Rabat, which has become a focal point for urban development projects. Reports from local sources indicate that after the failure of amicable acquisition procedures—characterized by what many describe as daily pressures on property owners—the authorities might resort to expropriation under the pretext of public utility, as outlined in law number 7-81.
Interestingly, this development contradicts earlier assertions made by Rabat's mayor, Fatiha El Moudni, who on March 14, 2025, claimed that the ongoing operations in Saniya Gharbia within the Ocean district were not expropriation-related but rather contractual agreements between sellers and buyers based on mutual consent. If the proposed plan is approved, the list of properties subject to expropriation in the Ocean district will encompass hundreds of units, including apartments, commercial spaces, warehouses, garages, villas, and vacant lots.
Implications of the Expropriation List
One significant surprise within this extensive list is the inclusion of properties along Al Khattabi Avenue, which had not previously been discussed in earlier plans. Notably, this includes a property identified as “M’barek,” which spans from numbers 1 to 19 and comprises a mix of commercial establishments (such as bakeries and shops), garages, and numerous apartments across five stories.
The reach of this expropriation initiative extends to other critical avenues, including Mokhtar Jazoulit and a complex network of alleyways such as Tokyo Street, Zanzibar Street, and many others. Additionally, it encompasses strategic intersections, including the corner of Addis-Ababa Street and Mokhtar Jazoulit Avenue, as well as various secondary roads and commercial units. The expropriation initiative also appears to cover immovable rights, such as overhanging rights, which are meticulously documented.
Moreover, the list includes the headquarters of the Mouvement Unicité et Réforme association, ideologically aligned with the Justice and Development Party (PJD), located at 22 Calcutta Street. This property, registered under the name “Maria” (R/23357), includes a building on a plot of approximately 345 square meters.
As reported by mobile.telquel.ma.
