Aziza Chaouni Projects to Restore Guelmim’s Historic Quarter

Aziza Chaouni Projects, a design office based in Toronto and Fez, has been selected to lead the restoration of the historic quarter of Guelmim in Morocco.

Located at the gateway to the Sahara, Guelmim has long served as a meeting point between the Atlas Mountains and sub-Saharan Africa, shaped by centuries of trans-Saharan exchange. The city’s urban fabric reflects a mix of Amazigh, Arab, Saharan and Jewish histories.

The proposed restoration will focus on upgrading key urban elements, including major streets and public plazas, alongside the rehabilitation of the historic Jewish quarter.

The project also incorporates a broader conservation approach, combining adaptive reuse and material recycling with environmental strategies such as rainwater harvesting and microclimate design.

The plan aims to preserve the city’s layered cultural identity while improving public space and infrastructure, positioning the historic quarter as a renewed cultural and urban destination.