Casablanca's Urbanization Quest: Seeking a New Director to Streamline Processes

Wednesday 29 May 2024 - 15:23

Casablanca is embarking on a mission to overhaul its urban planning department. Nabila Rmili, the president of the Communal Council, has announced a call for applications to appoint a new Head of the Urban Planning Service, following the removal of the previous incumbent.

This change follows complaints from investors and architects in the region, who accused the former official of extortion and obstructing administrative procedures. This led to the intervention of the Wali (governor) of the Casablanca-Settat region.

Under mounting pressure from the Wali and the Regional Council of Architects of the Central Region, Rmili granted an extended leave to the former official to ease tensions and facilitate the search for a new director capable of addressing the accumulated problems within the service.

The incoming head will shoulder the primary responsibility of managing and issuing various administrative documents related to urban planning. These include examining applications for building permits, compliance certificates, repair permits, and restoration permits.

Applications for this position are open from June 10th to June 28th. A commission, formed by decision of the mayor, will be responsible for selecting the applicants and conducting interviews for this crucial role in the urban management of Morocco's economic capital.

Issues such as delays in granting building and occupancy permits, excessive bureaucracy, and lack of communication have been raised by the Regional Council of Architects of the Central Region in Casablanca. They have criticized the "unorthodox" practices of a senior official within the Urban Planning Service.

As development projects in Casablanca advance steadily, architects, who are key players in this urban transformation, have voiced concerns about the complexities surrounding obtaining building permits and occupancy permits. These hurdles affect projects for individuals as well as Moroccan and foreign investors.

Mohamed Karim Sbai, president of the Regional Council of Architects of the Central Region (CROAC), expressed dismay over significant delays in permit issuance, which often surpass the legally mandated two-month deadline by far. Sbai highlighted that these delays extend to "more than six months for 90% of the applications" submitted to the Single Window of Casablanca.

In addition to non-compliance with legal deadlines, architects point out a "cumbersome" and "unjustified" bureaucracy, despite ongoing efforts to digitalize permit procedures. They cite instances where files are rejected on seemingly arbitrary grounds, leading to unnecessary delays.

Tarik Sefraoui, general treasurer of CROAC, provided examples of such bureaucratic hurdles, indicating that requested documents are often already provided during the application process. He labeled these actions as maneuvers to prolong the processing of applications.

Architects also lamented the lack of communication channels with the Urban Planning Service at the Casablanca municipality. They highlighted the need to physically visit the service office, causing disruptions to their professional activities.

The issue of double standards was also raised, with certain architects receiving preferential treatment, leading to unfair advantages for some real estate developers. This disparity undermines investor confidence and perpetuates inefficiencies within the system.

Efforts to address these issues have been hindered by the influence of vested interests. Despite assurances from local authorities, including Rmili and the Wali, the situation persists due to the alleged protection of certain individuals within the Urban Planning Service.

In response to grievances, the Wali intervened by vetoing the appointment of a new director due to frequent complaints from real estate developers and investors. However, subsequent attempts to replace the former director were thwarted, indicating persistent challenges in effecting meaningful change.

The ongoing quest for a new director underscores the city's commitment to reforming its urban planning processes. However, addressing entrenched issues will require concerted efforts to combat corruption, streamline procedures, and ensure transparency and accountability within the Urban Planning Service.