Conservation and Rehabilitation Plan for the Kasbah of Taourirt

A model process for conservation and rehabilitation adaptable to similar earthen sites in the North African region

Project Details

Panoramic view of a sprawling Kasbah made of earthen material, in front of a plaza

Photo: Scott S. Warren

About

Goal

Earthen ksour and kasbahs sites are significant for their aesthetic, social, and cultural values, and as evidence of the historical development of the sub-Saharan region, but are under threat from obsolescence and abandonment, resulting in gradual deterioration and eventual collapse.

This project aimed to develop a conservation plan that respects original building fabric, preserves technical knowhow, demonstrates appropriate re-use, develops a participatory process, and builds local capacity.

Outcomes

  • An architectural survey of the entire site, which included documentation of wall paintings located in the Caid Residence. This phase provided training workshops on aspects related to the documentation of earthen sites.
  • A rehabilitation and conservation plan for the Kasbah and conservation of the painted surfaces of the Kasbah Taourirt.

Background

The earthen ksour and kasbahs region of southern Morocco expands along three pre-Saharan valleys (Draá, Dadès, and De L'Ounila and Ziz) and contains around 300 kasbahs and 4,000 ksour. These magnificent earthen sites have been recognized as culturally significant for their aesthetic, social, and cultural values, and as physical evidence of the historical development of the sub-Saharan region.

Unfortunately, these sites are under threat from obsolescence and abandonment, which results in their gradual deterioration and eventual collapse. This situation is due in part to changes in the economic and social structures that originally supported the sites. This issue is common across many regions with an earthen building tradition. Conserving these settlements and sites demands a multidisciplinary approach that addresses economic, social, cultural, and technical challenges holistically.

Partners

Centre de Conservation et de Réhabilation du Patrimoine Architectural des zones atlasiques et subatlasiques (CERKAS)

Resources