Douars Take Center Stage in Morocco's Territorial Identity Shift

The latest edition of “Parlons Territoires” brought together experts to discuss the evolving role of “douars” (rural villages) in Morocco's social, cultural, and territorial landscape. The virtual meeting was organized by OTED, a Moroccan initiative that promotes collaboration among local stakeholders to create projects benefiting the economy, society, and environment. 

This webinar, titled "Douars: Between Sociocultural Heritage and Institutional Dilution,” explored the significance of territorial organization rights, the revitalization of douars as drivers of socio-economic development, and the protection of cultural heritage. Moderated by Sanae Alami Afilal, a Mission Officer at Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP), the session featured experts such as Mohamed Tozy, a university professor and research director at Sciences Po Aix; socio-economist Samira Mizbar; and Mohamed Mahdi, a professor of rural sociology and a member of both the Targa Aide Association and CRESC. 

In her introduction, Afilal emphasized the importance of douars as foundational units of social, economic, and territorial organization in rural and peri-urban areas. "We have around 42,000 douars in Morocco, home to nearly half of our rural citizens," she stated. Despite their central role in community life, these villages lack clear institutional recognition, raising questions about their future in an era of territorial reform. 

Samira Mizbar, known for her expertise in peripheral areas and semi-desert regions, highlighted the urgent need to protect the cultural and social heritage of douars and similar settlements. "These spaces, whether natural, intangible, or built, are at risk of invisibility," she warned, drawing parallels between douars and “ksours” — human settlements in desert regions. "Though ksours are considered desert agglomerations and douars villages, both face similar fates," she remarked. 

These communities are often absorbed into rural communes or reclassified as urban based on arbitrary administrative decisions. “Their identity gets diluted in administrative considerations,” Mizbar added. "In official records, we talk about 34,000 douars, but if we include ksours, the number is much higher. These places often become invisible, erased from governance systems, with significant consequences for their recognition and future."

Mizbar criticized the colonial legacy that has shaped Morocco’s territorial divisions, which, she argued, ignores the true nature of the country’s rural spaces. "The French and Spanish protectorates imposed a territorial framework that doesn’t align with how the population occupied these spaces," she said. This framework aimed to control both land and people, a logic that still persists today. "Today, we adjust communal boundaries based on administrative needs, promotions, or territorial downgrades. Power dynamics and local ambitions play a significant role in these decisions," Mizbar explained. 

She questioned the prevailing philosophy of urban-centric development that marginalizes rural areas, noting, "The urban lifestyle, modeled after Western cities, has become the dominant ideal. This pushes douars to the margins, reinforcing negative perceptions of these spaces as backward and incapable of modernity." Mizbar also underlined the cultural value of douars, often overlooked in development policies. "Cultural heritage can’t be measured statistically or monetized, and its neglect has led to a failure in understanding the true potential of these areas," she stated, noting that many douars remain stagnant with little to no progress.

During his presentation, Tozy delved into the marginalization of the douar within Morocco's institutional framework, highlighting how the state sought to "neutralize all intermediate entities," including tribal structures, during the nation-building process. Despite this, the douar has continued to persist in various capacities, such as through rural electrification efforts and statistical representation. 

He explained that in the 1950s, the state opted for the “commune” as the "first level of political representation," aiming to sever the connection between local governance and tribal divisions. This decision effectively "invisibilized the douar" on political and administrative fronts, although many “communes” still correspond to fractions of tribes. 

Tozy noted the douar’s persistence through programs like rural electrification, explaining that the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) "negotiated the installation of pylons" with douars, reflecting the village's continued importance in infrastructure projects. Regarding Morocco’s National Development Model (NMD), he stated that it advocates for "an innovative territorial reorganization," striving to ensure the provision of public services down to "the smallest douar." He mentioned that while the douar plays a role in managing essential services like water, the lack of formal recognition or support has strained local resources.

Tozy further discussed how the douar resurfaced in national planning, particularly in the education sector, although it was often overlooked. He highlighted the "disastrous" policy of creating isolated classrooms, with no formal connection to the douar, even though villagers were heavily involved in managing other communal institutions like the “msid” (Quranic schools). "We found the school next to the douar, but never as a part of it," he explained, pointing to the disconnect between public services and local populations.

In his analysis of electoral politics, Tozy pointed out that the current system often fails to represent the interests of douars. He believes that communal elections based on the douar would create more equitable representation, as these communities are already well-versed in "collective decision-making and negotiation." Yet, the system continues to favor individual representation, leading to "minority representation" that fails to address the collective needs of douars.

During his presentation, Mohamed Mahdi spoke about the complex dynamics within douars, noting that broad conclusions are difficult due to their diverse agricultural ecosystems. He explained that factors shaping each douar vary greatly depending on geography and environment. For instance, douars in the northern High Atlas, with better water resources, experience different development patterns compared to the more arid southern regions. "In the north, tourism and water availability support growth, while in the south, desertification and depopulation are pressing issues," he said.

Mahdi also addressed socio-economic changes, particularly the impact of migration. Many Moroccan families in southern douars rely heavily on remittances from Europe, particularly from France, Belgium, and Holland, while those in the northern High Atlas continue to depend on agriculture without such external financial support. "This migration has changed the destiny of these communities," he concluded. 

In some northern douars, especially in the High Atlas, the population continues to depend on agriculture, having shifted from subsistence farming to market-driven production, allowing some areas to maintain their livelihoods amid economic challenges. Mahdi also discussed the changing role of traditional institutions like the Jmaa (village assembly), explaining that while some douars still maintain them, their function has shifted over time. "We now see a mix between the old Jmaa and modern village associations," Mahdi noted, as younger generations increasingly take on responsibilities, while older members tend to step back. "The Jmaa still exists, but today you might find it in WhatsApp groups, with decisions being made by people spread across different parts of the world."

During the webinar, speakers also discussed the impact of the Al Haouz earthquake, particularly regarding its implications for rural communities and the role of douars in disaster response. They pointed out the need to consider the unique characteristics of these villages in crisis management strategies. The earthquake revealed vulnerabilities within douars, illustrating their marginalization in official frameworks and the importance of integrating local knowledge into recovery efforts.

The experts called for a reevaluation of how these communities are perceived, noting that recognizing their cultural and social value is essential for building resilience and ensuring effective support during crises. This incident served as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by douars in Morocco’s socio-political landscape and the necessity of addressing their needs in future disaster preparedness and response initiatives. 

To address the challenges facing douars, two key recommendations arose: knowledge and recognition. First, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the diversity of rural areas and their specific needs. Bridging this gap is essential for designing effective policies. Second, acknowledging the vital role rural populations play in maintaining landscapes and contributing to national wealth is crucial. Services such as quality public infrastructure, healthcare, and education are necessary to encourage people to remain in their native areas. 

Local initiatives have often succeeded in driving development without heavy reliance on external frameworks. A more dynamic and flexible approach is needed, adapting to the specific strengths of these areas. Empowering the local population is key, as they best understand their circumstances and can drive meaningful change. Sustainable development should prioritize local involvement, economic diversification, and equitable access to resources and services, fostering growth while protecting cultural and environmental heritage.