The current situation of the green spaces in the City of Flowers is at the centre of all controversy. The least that can be said is that a simple visit through the main axes of the city allows one to establish that its landscape image requires sustained work to achieve the expected environmental objectives. The most worrying thing, however, is the deficit in green spaces capable of improving the living environment of citizens. Added to this is the state of certain parks, including the Twin Cities Park. An essential place for visitors, this environmental heritage is subject to a multitude of pressures that weaken it and risk distorting it. However, improvements have been undertaken, notably the rehabilitation work of the said park launched by H.R.H. Princess Lalla Hasna on 7 July 2000 as part of the "Clean Morocco" environmental campaign. This magnificent space is a heritage of the city which is characterised by a variety of trees, palm trees, floral beds, a large grassed area, paths, benches, bins as well as night lighting adapted to the landscape.

A budget of 3 million DH was mobilised by Samir, which signed an agreement with the urban commune of Mohammedia under which the company takes charge of the maintenance and security of the park for a period of five years, renewable annually by tacit renewal. Nevertheless, some are unaware of the utility of such a space in the life of the inhabitants and in a city where the growth of urban and industrial zones accentuates polluting discharges.

Among the worrying problems, we can cite the inexorable advance of concrete throughout the park, which has posed many environmental concerns and contributed to disfiguring the urban landscape of the city. The park is often used to host various events (shows, fairs, exhibitions, races, etc.) that attract thousands of people. The shows give way to a landscape of desolation: the park is littered with debris, rubbish and paper, the grass and plants are trampled and damaged. This lack of environmental culture, but above all of civic-mindedness, harms the brand image of the city.

The absence of mobile public toilets accentuates the problems and behaviours towards the environment affect public hygiene. Street vendors, the absence of guards in the evening, parking and car washing, pollution, traffic density... so many pressures and behaviours that risk weakening this place of life and leisure.

"The planning and equipment policy," stresses an associative actor, "must target popular neighbourhoods in particular and extend to the creation of more green spaces well distributed throughout the vital axes of the city".

Similarly, the upgrading of parks must be part of an orientation line aimed at establishing a balanced development of the city to restore its image as a city of flowers and greenery.

"Nothing has been done to save the Mesbahiat Park, which covered 12 hectares. All its equipment is unrecoverable and, to this day, it remains closed. As for the Colline park, it continues to degrade in total indifference. The promises relating to the upgrading of this vital domain have not been kept," he concludes.

Urgency of concrete actions

Collective ecological awareness must be translated into concrete actions to achieve sustainable environmental development. Mohammedia must not show a poor image in this matter. It is the duty of all to defend the environmental achievements of the city by protecting and developing its landscape heritage, through the development of new green spaces and the rehabilitation of existing gardens and parks. The example of companies involved in safeguarding the environment must encourage other industries and businesses to contribute their stone to the building and to place the environmental cause at the centre of their concerns.