The banks of the Issyl Wadi are set to undergo a significant urban redevelopment initiative, meticulously divided into three phases and assigned to two distinct contractors. This ambitious project aims to revitalize the long-neglected riverbanks, transforming them into a beautifully landscaped public space that will include walking paths, green areas, and various local amenities, thereby enhancing the urban environment of Marrakech.
According to insights from TelQuel, the total budget allocated for this redevelopment project is just shy of 197 million dirhams. The construction efforts are split among the VIAS and MP Project consortium, alongside the Mojazine Group, each responsible for different aspects of the work involved.
A River Reclaimed by the City
The Issyl River serves as a crucial tributary of the Tensift River, originating in the majestic High Atlas Mountains. It flows along the eastern and northern peripheries of Marrakech’s historic medina, traversing a significant portion of the ochre city. The boulevard that runs alongside its riverbed is an important thoroughfare, particularly near the Daoudiate neighborhood, located approximately a 20-minute walk from the renowned Majorelle Garden. After enduring over a decade of drought, the river's natural flow was restored in October 2024 due to substantial rainfall, drawing renewed interest to its previously overlooked banks.
The primary objective of this redevelopment project is to revamp this specific section of the river. The plans include stabilizing the banks, implementing essential drainage infrastructure, and upgrading the area to seamlessly integrate the waterway into the surrounding urban landscape, moving away from its previous marginalization.
Three Phases, Two Operators
The project is strategically divided into three phases, with the first phase focusing on establishing the technical groundwork. This phase has been entrusted to the VIAS and MP Project consortium for roughly 59 million dirhams. As reported by sources at TelQuel, this initial phase encompasses a range of preparatory tasks, including earthmoving, the installation of roads and utility networks, retaining structures, surfacing, synthetic turf areas, landscaping, lighting, and street furniture—all executed under a comprehensive turnkey contract.
The second phase, awarded to the Mojazine Group for about 68 million dirhams, mirrors the scope of the first but places a greater emphasis on hydraulic infrastructure. This includes the installation of pipelines and associated equipment, ensuring that the necessary utilities are in place to support the newly developed spaces.
Lastly, the third phase, also under the Mojazine Group’s purview, has a budget of approximately 70 million dirhams. This phase aims to extend the redevelopment efforts along another section of the riverbanks, incorporating features such as a promenade, drainage systems, sewer infrastructure, an irrigation network, fencing, and landscaping. Collectively, these three phases adhere to a cohesive design while addressing different segments of the riverfront.
Overseeing this ambitious project is Société Al Omrane Marrakech-Safi, acting as the delegated project manager on behalf of the City of Marrakech, which is the project’s owner. A steering committee composed of Al Omrane’s regional office and the Marrakech-Safi provincial authorities is tasked with supervising the ongoing works. This governance structure underscores the project’s alignment within Marrakech’s broader urban renewal agenda, of which the redevelopment of the Issyl Riverbanks is a pivotal component. Al Omrane has expressed that segmenting the project into three phases will facilitate a gradual progression along the river while distributing the execution responsibilities between two contractors.
Ultimately, this transformative initiative seeks to create a continuous, river-centered public space that will enhance the boulevard and its surroundings. The true impact of this project on a neighborhood that has already begun to change with the river's return will unfold over time.
As reported by telquel.ma.
