ARCH Conservation Microprojects

Marrakech, Morocco

An incremental, 'softer' approach towards conservation that foregrounds social needs. Within the historic medina, five 'micro-projects' were chosen for their urban qualities and their contribution to everyday life. They included a hammam, a public fountain, an ablutions complex, a marketplace (where all the vendors are women) and a covered souk. Their restoration was undertaken after consultation with the local community and proceeded on the basis of minimum intervention -- or maximum retention of the historic fabric, deploying traditional materials and crafts techniques.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

See also:

Eigeland,Tor. 2002. "Re-Greening Marrakech." Saudi Aramco World (July/August 2002), p. 28-33. Online at http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200204/re-greening.marrakech.htm. [Accessed January 5, 2006]

Official Website of ARCH (Art Restoration and Cultural Heritage) Foundation. http://www.arch.at/. [Accessed January 5, 2006]