After a researcher furiously denounced the irresponsible act of building a house in the middle of Marrakech’s old Medina ramparts, authorities responded to her complaint within 9 days.
Rabat – Local authorities in Marrakech’s old medina have intervened to destroy the house built in the middle of the ramparts. The house was built near the medina’s Bab Doukkala.
The act came after Amel Mellakh, a researcher in tangible and intangible heritage, brought the matter to the public opinion. Mellakh took to her Facebook to post photos showing a part of the rampart being destroyed to build a house.
On Friday, August 23, the local authorities responded to the researcher’s call to action. Mellakh posted on Facebook pictures of the local authorities demolishing the house.
Mellakh thanked everyone for sharing the matter and showing support, particularly authorities who acted within less than 10 days.
“I thank the friends, the actors of the civil society and the net surfers for their comments and the patriotic support, but also I thank the reactivity of the authorities of the Wilaya of Marrakech, for their welcome and for the work which provides for the rehabilitation of the medina,” Mellakh said.
Marrakech-based news outlet Kech24 wrote about the house as early as 2014, according to Mellakh.
Mellakh recalled that the Wilaya of Marrakech has begun a “procedure of emptying buildings out, compensating residents, and proceed to the demolition.”
In the pictures shared online, the house could be easily spotted as it is located on one of Marrakech’s main avenues. It was considered disrespectful to the city’s cultural heritage and wealth and detrimental to the rampart’s aesthetics.
In her post on Facebook, Mellakh lauded the local authorities’ efforts and professionalism to revive the cultural heritage.
For Mellakh, it is the responsibility of everyone to contribute to the preservation of the cultural heritage and the idea that it is the job of the elites and officials must be changed.
“My wish is to introduce the ordinary citizen into the responsibility of preservation and to change the idea that it is just the elite and the administrative officials who must do it, it is our heritage and commitment to all of us,” she concluded.
