Hay Mohammadi: A Unique Urban Landscape
Hay Mohammadi stands out as a unique urban district within Casablanca, Morocco. Situated in a constrained area bordered by a railway, industrial zones from the Protectorate era, and neighboring districts such as Ain Sebaâ and Roches Noires, it covers a mere 4.2 square kilometers in the northeastern part of the city. This relatively small territory is characterized by one of the highest population densities in the country, with almost nonexistent available land for development. Consequently, the options for urban planning are severely limited, posing significant challenges for the local authorities.
The New Urban Development Plan and Its Implications
In light of these challenges, the Urban Agency of Casablanca (AUC) has crafted a new urban development plan aimed at replacing the existing one from 2015, which is set to expire in August 2025. This new initiative was discussed in a meeting of the Local Technical Committee (CTL) on October 10, and a subsequent public inquiry was conducted, concluding in mid-March. The development plan is now undergoing the final adoption process, which includes reviews by the district council, the city council of Casablanca, and ultimately, an evaluation by the central commission of the Ministry of Urbanism, leading to its official approval via decree.
This urban development plan serves as the regulatory framework for land use in the area, delineating permissible building heights, the designated purposes for various zones, and any applicable land easements. It reflects local adaptations of the overarching Urban Development Master Plan (SDUA) for Greater Casablanca, which was partially revised in October 2024 to encompass significant projects linked to the upcoming World Cup in 2030.
Given the constrained nature of the territory, the new plan largely maintains the existing zoning framework. The majority of the area remains designated for mixed housing, with building heights capped at three to four stories. Only a few select blocks are allowed to construct buildings reaching five or six stories. This cautious approach acknowledges the reality of a neighborhood that is already saturated, where older buildings and aging underground infrastructure make any potential mass densification a technically risky endeavor.
As reported by ledesk.ma.
