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Fez– Casablanca is preparing for a major change along its coastline this summer, as authorities move to make the city’s beaches fully free and accessible to the public after years of commercial occupation and paid access systems.
Local authorities in the Casablanca-Settat region have decided to end the rental system for beach chairs and umbrellas on the city’s beaches, a practice that had gradually turned many public coastal spaces into unofficial private zones.
According to Le360, the decision includes the cancellation of commercial tenders linked to beach exploitation and the introduction of free parking areas near the shoreline.
The measure aims to ensure the end of a system that often forced families and visitors to pay simply to enjoy a day at the beach.
Large sections of sand were frequently occupied by private operators offering paid umbrellas, chairs, and reserved areas, leaving limited free space for the public.
For many families, umbrellas rentals were sometimes priced between MAD 30 or MAD 40, while chairs could cost around MAD 15 each. For a family, the total bill for a simple beach setup could quickly become expensive.
In some cases umbrellas themselves are sold for nearly MAD 150, meaning the cost for renting one in a vacation can represent a significant share of the price of buying a new umbrella altogether.
The parking issue had also become a growing source of frustration in recent years.
Prices near several beaches saw sharp increases during the summer season starting from MAD 10 to MAD 15, with many drivers complaining about uncontrolled fees imposed by informal parking attendants.
Through this new measure, authorities are also seeking to put an end to excessive parking charges and restore better control over public spaces surrounding the coastline.
According to Le360, the objective is to restore beaches as open public spaces that can be enjoyed equally by everyone, regardless of income.
Authorities also want to improve transparency in the management of the public maritime domain after years of criticism over informal exploitation and lack of regulation.
The decision follows a pilot experience launched last summer in Dar Bouazza, south of Casablanca.
Authorities there removed commercial beach occupations, banned paid parking near the coast, and closed several establishments operating so-called private beach areas.
In their place, public straw umbrellas were installed and made available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visitors were also allowed to bring their own beach equipment freely.
Officials now hope to apply a similar model across Casablanca’s beaches during the upcoming summer season.
Casablanca’s beaches also suffer from growing environmental and civic problems, especially during the summer months.
Waste left behind by visitors, including plastic bottles, cans, food packaging, and glass, has become a recurring concern for residents and environmental groups.
Some beachgoers also install tents, cooking equipment, and temporary camps directly on the sand, often leaving large amounts of garbage behind after spending the day by the sea.
Cleaning teams continue to work daily to maintain the coastline, but many observers believe public behavior must also change if the initiative is to succeed.
