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Rabat's Urban Renaissance: Moroccan Capital Clinches Prestigious UN-Habitat Award
Rabat, Morocco's capital city, has achieved international acclaim by winning the 2024 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Award for its outstanding urban development initiatives. This prestigious recognition was announced during the World Habitat Day celebrations in Queretaro, Mexico, highlighting Rabat's commitment to creating a vibrant, inclusive urban environment.
The award, which has honored 192 initiatives worldwide over three decades, acknowledges cities that have made significant strides in urban development and improving residents' quality of life. Rabat's victory comes amidst stiff competition, with UN-Habitat receiving 127 nominations from regions spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania.
At the heart of Rabat's success is the "Rabat, City of Light, Moroccan Capital of Culture" program. This initiative has revitalized public spaces, encouraging community involvement and personal growth through a human-centered approach. The program focuses on enhancing access to social services and promoting inclusion through sports, art, and culture.
A standout achievement of the initiative is the establishment of 175 local sports fields throughout Rabat. These facilities provide spaces for various activities that foster well-being and social inclusion, particularly among the youth. The city's efforts to activate public spaces and encourage community engagement are further bolstered by a special body created in 2023 by the Ministry of Culture, tasked with organizing year-round events.
The impact of these initiatives is evident in the success of the "Rabat Youth" competition, which attracted over 8,700 participants last year. This impressive turnout demonstrates the positive outcomes of the city's efforts to engage its younger population.
Rabat's recognition extends beyond the UN-Habitat award. The city has also been officially named the World Book Capital for 2026 by UNESCO and the World Book Capital Advisory Committee, further cementing its status as a cultural hub.
The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Award aligns with this year's World Habitat Day theme, "Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future," which emphasizes the importance of involving younger generations in shaping their cities through participatory planning and local leadership.
Rabat shares the spotlight with other winners of this year's award for smart urban development, including Colombia's Alcaldía de Santiago, Malaysia's Majlis Bandaraya, Australia's Allen Kong, and the UK's David Satterthwaite. These winners collectively showcase best practices and innovations that support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
As Rabat continues to implement its visionary urban development strategies, it sets an inspiring example for cities worldwide. The Moroccan capital's success story underscores the importance of inclusive, culture-driven approaches to urban planning and community engagement, paving the way for a more sustainable and vibrant urban future.