Conservation and Rehabilitation Plan for the Kasbah of Taourirt

Designed in collaboration with the Centre de Conservation et de Réhabilation du Patrimoine Architectural des Zones Atlasiques et Subatlasiques (CERKAS), the plan was implemented in three phases.

Phase one included the development of a methodology for the documentation and emergency stabilization of the entire earthen complex. Phase two developed a conservation and rehabilitation plan for the Kasbah, considering the whole ensemble and each of its sectors, its connection with the adjacent historic community (the ksar), their original natural setting, and the urban context. Phase three developed a strategy for the dissemination of information about the site to local authorities, scholars, and the community.

All phases included training workshops on aspects related to the conservation of earthen sites including (1) documentation, (2) rehabilitation planning, and (3) analysis of earthen materials and practical conservation approaches. There were final presentations at the end of each phase, accompanied by a public exhibition and presentation to stakeholders.

The Ksar of Taourirt, an entire earthen village and oasis dating from the 17th century, is an emblematic ensemble strategically located at the intersection of major trans-Saharan trade routes and now embedded within the modern city of Ouarzazate, Morocco.

At the city's core is the fortified Kasbah of Taourirt. This earthen site, registered as a national monument, was originally one of the residences of the Glaoua Caid, a powerful family that ruled the region during the late-19th and early-20th centuries. It symbolizes the Berber culture and is composed of different earthen building types of high architectural, social, and historical significance.

Conservation Institute: Claudia Cancino (Project Manager), Poornima Balakrishnan, Maria Cummings, Francoise Descamps, Oriol Dominguez, Sara Galerne, Randi Kilzer, Elena Macchioni, Susan Macdonald, Benjamin Marcus, Tim Michiels, Emilio Roldán-Zamarrón, Lori Wong

CERKAS: Lahcen Abid (technicien), Hamid Aghazzaf, (technicien principal), Mhammed Barjali (photographier), Mohamed Boussalh (directeur), Sara Doublani (archéologue), Noufissa Ouberchkik (technicien principal)

Ministére de la Culture: Abdellah Alaoui (directeur, Direction du Patrimoine Culturel)

Consultants: Alaa El Habashi (planning and management training), Mario Santana Quintero and Christian Ouimet (Carleton University, architectural survey and documentation training), Charlotte Martin de Fonjaudran (wall paintings conservation), Clemencia Vernaza (wall paintings conservation), Francesco Siravo (general advisor), Sebastien Moriset (CRATerre, emergency stabilization trials)