Building in rural areas: 600% more approved projects in 2023
Minister of National Spatial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and Urban Policy, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, announced the approval of 847 construction projects in rural areas in 2023, an increase of 600% compared to previous years. This progress is part of the publication of the joint circular between his ministry and the Ministry of Interior.
In her response to an oral question in the House of Representatives, Ms. El Mansouri clarified that these projects were approved after examining 1,792 planning applications and highlighted the significant progress made. She also recalled that the joint circular allowed for the delimitation of 3,166 douars, representing a total area of 78,000 hectares, for the benefit of 1.455 million people, an increase of 224%.
However, the minister stressed that the main obstacle to issuing permits in these rural areas remains land issues and ownership documents. This challenge continues to pose an obstacle for city and local authorities and complicates the building permit process.
In this context, El Mansouri mentioned draft law No. 90/12 on urban planning, which is ready and is currently the subject of consultations with stakeholders. Another bill on urban authorities is also in preparation, with a specific rural approach to respond to the specificities of these areas.
M.Ba.
