The Ministry of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy said in a statement that the publication of the two laws is part of efforts to reform and modernize Morocco’s legal framework governing urban planning and housing, with the aim of supporting the Kingdom’s major development projects.
The adoption of Law No. 64.23 follows the Royal Guidelines calling for public-sector reform and greater efficiency among public establishments, as well as the creation of more coherent and effective regional structures working in urban planning, housing and territorial development, the ministry said.
The law provides for the creation of regional urban planning and housing agencies with an integrated strategic vision at the regional level. The agencies will seek to strengthen proximity with users, investors and local stakeholders through provincial and prefectural offices.
It also aims to standardize and harmonize best practices in urban and territorial planning and urban management, while strengthening the agencies’ role in territorial engineering, monitoring and expertise. Their responsibilities will also include supporting investment, improving the territorial offering and facilitating access to housing.
As for Law No. 34.21, the ministry described it as a major legislative step toward modernizing the legal framework governing subdivisions, housing developments and land subdivisions. The law seeks to adapt the framework to Morocco’s changing urban landscape, address challenges identified over more than three decades and improve the efficiency of the rules governing such projects.
It also introduces good-governance principles through more flexible mechanisms for managing project completion deadlines, simplified administrative procedures and clearer responsibilities for the various stakeholders.
The law also introduces new mechanisms to ensure greater efficiency and transparency in the processing of applications to create subdivisions, housing developments and land subdivisions.
The ministry said the legislative reform is expected to improve the quality of urban projects, strengthen investment attractiveness and ensure the provision of public facilities and services that meet residents’ needs, supporting more balanced and sustainable urban development.
