A framework agreement relating to the 2014-2018 integrated urban upgrading programme has just been adopted by the Rabat City Council during its last extraordinary session. The elected officials meticulously examined the objectives of this framework agreement, which aims to preserve and promote the cultural and civilisational heritage of the city of Rabat, protect its environment, improve access to local social services and infrastructure, consolidate good governance, and preserve and upgrade the urban fabric. The integrated urban upgrading programme for the capital, to which a significant budget has been allocated, aims to strengthen and modernise road and rail transport equipment, boost the economic and commercial sectors, develop productive sectors, and strengthen infrastructure and the road network. This programme provides for a number of projects and operations, including the development of tourist routes, the upgrading of the Medina to improve its attractiveness, the enhancement of cultural heritage and historical monuments listed as world heritage, and the maintenance of walls, historical gates, and museums. Regarding the preservation of green spaces and the environment, the programme provides for the implementation of several projects, including the upgrading of gardens and parks and the development of spaces for children and green areas in inhabited zones and the corniche. Furthermore, in order to improve human development indices, the programme has included a focus on improving access to basic services and local social infrastructure. Moreover, the integrated urban development programme for Rabat aims to achieve a qualitative leap in the transport sector through the modernisation of its structures and services.

Speaking during this session, the Wali of the Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaër region, Abdelouafi Laftit, stressed that this programme reflects the solicitude that His Majesty King Mohammed VI surrounds the city of Rabat with, in order to maintain its cultural and ecological position, adding that the objective of this programme is to make the capital a green city. He also stated that the implementation of this programme will be carried out flexibly and within reasonable timeframes, where priority will be given to emergency projects, stressing his willingness to integrate all concerned actors into this approach, in order to make Rabat a city of light and a capital of culture.

The President of the Rabat City Council, Fathallah Oualalou, reaffirmed for his part the Council's adherence to this royal project, which will have positive repercussions on the present and future of the city. The council, he stressed, will work to mobilise the necessary financial resources to contribute to this programme.

Finally, the members of the city council welcomed the launch of this major project, which will contribute to bringing Rabat up to the level of international metropolises.

Financing the integrated plan: In order to finance the capital's ambitious integrated plan, the city council will have to be able to release and privatise a certain number of plots of land and real estate assets, according to the Mayor of Rabat, Fathallah Oualalou. The regional council and the prefectural council are also called upon to participate in the financing of this programme. Furthermore, the signing of the agreements relating to this plan has also allowed for the commitment of several ministries and public establishments such as the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG) and the National Railways Office (ONCF).