The redevelopment work on the old Medina of Salé is well underway. Several stages have been completed in the implementation of this grandiose project, which is part of the city's upgrading programme launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI last February. According to the mayor of Salé, Nourredine Lazrak, the development work relating to the infrastructure is progressing rapidly and has already reached a completion rate of 60%. "We have already finished the work relating to the paving and we are currently working on the installation of lighting," the president of the municipal council tells us. In parallel with the management of this site, the commune is working on the rehabilitation of all the markets within the old Medina. This will particularly involve redeveloping "Kissariat Souk Sabate", that of "Souk Lakbir" as well as "Kissariat Harrarine". "We wish through this project to preserve the authentic character of these spaces while giving them a new face. It is for this reason that we have chosen to use master craftsmen (mâalems) who will be responsible for decorating the wooden doors and preserving this authenticity of the Medina," adds the same official. And to safeguard the authenticity of the Medina, the commune has been fighting against substandard housing for several months. According to the mayor, the first step will be to rehouse the families living in these dwellings before proceeding with their demolition or rehabilitation. "We have already rehoused more than 70 families who previously resided in the Fondouk of Rahba and that of Bouaouda in the new Saïd Hajji district. We intend to tackle other Fondouks that house much larger families. These are the Fondouk of Largot and that of Zniber and Sbalyoune". Note that the rehabilitation of the Fondouks will be carried out in parallel with the demolition of houses threatening to collapse, numbering 200 homes. "We have in this sense concluded a partnership with the Holding

Al Omrane to contribute to implementing this project. The said company has committed to paying a sum of 50,000 DH to families wishing to rehabilitate their houses threatening to collapse, provided that the buildings are not in a serious state of degradation," explains the mayor. Furthermore, the commune has proceeded, within the framework of preserving the identity of the Medina of Salé, to the acquisition of the Malaki cinema with a view to its rehabilitation. The reopening of this space is scheduled for 2 September. According to the city's mayor, these efforts are part of correcting malfunctions in public spaces. The old Medina, being endowed with ancient architecture, which represents the historical heart of Salé, is full of historical monuments to be saved and revived in order to transmit them to future generations, with its wall and its gates, including Bab Lamrissa, Bab Bouhaja and other monuments that have suffered degradation threatening their durability, notably the Sqala and the Borjes. Thus, the rehabilitation of the old Medina will also involve the repair of these spaces. An operation that will require a budget of 9 million dirhams and will be carried out in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture.

Conversion of authentic places: Within the framework of preserving the identity and memory of the Medina, the commune of Salé has proceeded to the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Fondouk Dar El-Qadi. This space, which had fallen into oblivion and degradation, was previously a traditional court where young couples were married. Today, and after its rehabilitation, this ancestral place will be transformed into a museum. Another space in the old Medina will be converted: the Fondouk Bermada. Located in the heart of the old Medina, the building currently under repair will soon be transformed into a rest home that will welcome abandoned elderly people.