Enhancing Accessibility, Reorganizing Transport and Mobility: The Old City of Fez

Abstract

The ancient city of Fez, one of the leading and largest cities of Islamic heritage in the Arab world, has retained its traditional character over many centuries. This is particularly the case with regards to its morphologically distinctive network of access roads. These roads were established according to a plan that renders the network unique and different from cities that were established during the colonial period or in the period after independence. This road network forms a homogeneous organic whole despite the variation in each of the many types of roads, giving the ancient city of Fez the largest pedestrian area in the world. Though unique, the city has remained isolated from the challenges facing the wider city, and the country as a whole, especially with regard to mobility and circulation of traffic. With the emergence of modern transportation and the increased need for transportation services, as well as the increasing flow of passers-by, tourists, and expanding range of activities and services, the old city faces a great challenge of accessibility. This challenge one that is posed sharply by burden of the ancient city’s renowned heritage. Addressing the challenge of accessibility is one of the foundations of any project to save the urban fabric of old Fez. Such a plan would enable the city to accommodate local development. In this regard, the Fez has been blessed with its share of strategies that seek to save and rehabilitate the city. These plans have targeted its old infrastructure and focused on pedestrian walkways and five gateways, and focused on making the city accessible for modern transport, as well as on the provision of parking facilities.