Arabic: 'as-sawira ( the well drawn or the small picture
or "fortresse") Essawira, Es-suira, as suwayrah,
Souira (Souera), Tassourte
(Tassort) "The pearl of the
kingdom"
Formely Mogador
Coat of arms Essaouira province
Esaouira is a city in the western
Moroccan economic region
of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz
It is a city
and a province (Wilayah).
Since 1999 Essaouira
is twinned with La Rochelle, France
Essaouira has since 1997
a co-operation with the French costal citySaint-Maloand with other cities in the UNESCO project
"Urban Development and Freshwater Resources: Small
Coastal Cities" Essaouira has established twinning relationship
with Chengdu, China 2012
One of the cities in the Game of thones , Astapor. See Movies
Criterion ii
Essaouira is an outstanding and well preserved example of
a late 18th century European fortified seaport
town translated to a North African context. Criterion iv With the opening up of Morocco to the rest of the world
in the later 18th century Essaouira was laid out by a French
architect who had been profoundly influenced by the work of
Vauban at Saint-Malo. It has retained
its European appearance to a substantial extent.
A wilayah is an administrative division,
usually translated as "province" or "governorate".
The word comes from Arabic w-l-y 'to govern': a wali
'governor' governs a wilayah 'that
which is governed'.
The city of Essaouira
was chosen by television "Travels" of Fox
Group as one of the top 10 global tourism stops, considered
"destinations of happiness."
As the previous economic base of fisheries
is in crisis, urban employment is limited to tourism
and handicraft production. This has had severe
repercussions on the quality of life and the environment.
Cultural Heritage
The cultural heritage has suffered degradation and continued
expansion of the city inland is threatening its fragile ecosystem
and the very survival of the town.
Capacity-building efforts focus on setting priorities for action,
targeted human resources development, institutional
strengthening, development and adaptation of tools, encouraging
partnerships, mobilization of resources, and promoting exchange
between cities facing similar problems.
Eco System
UN Habitat project and its partners
has eveloped action plans, addressing issues such as the protection
of the collapsing sea retaining wall and dilapidated
city gates, a revitalisation plan for the Mellah
area and development of an urban park as a
buffer zone between housing estates and a dune forest.
UN Habitat Localising Agenda 21
King Mohammed VI launched
the “The Plan Azur Vision 2010” strategic
tourist development program in January 2001, aiming to make
Morocco one of the world’s premier tourist
destinations with a target of 10 million visitors in 2010 and
to create 600.000 new jobs.
In the area of Diabat this development will
measure in the region of 5,700.000 m2. The main features of
this development are sure to be the two Gary
Player golf courses. One of 36 holes the other 18. The hotels,
riads, villas, golf academy and practice course are laid out
along the two spectacular courses facing the sea.It also incorporates
the upgrading of motorways and roads.
Essaouira expansion to Ghazoua
Because of dune forest and the green
belt there is a limit in the expansion of the city towards north
and east.
Chaabi Lil Iskane,began
the construction of a new city: Essaouira
El Jadida in Ghazoua
( 8km south of Essaouira). The small village in the countryside
has developed into a residential area with villas, small buildings
and businesses.
Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador) (UNESCO/NHK)
ESSAOUIRA 1961
Essaouira 1961
ESSAOUIRA TODAY
Freshpainted pedestrian crossing at the entry of Essaouira town.
The monument of Barakat Mohammed welcomes its visitors
.... it is under renovation, as the roads and streets in all the town....
...and the beach front along Boulevard Mohammed V is getting a new look ..........
.... making the town beautiful for everybody and a royal visit...
... For detailed information on the rebuilding works and enhancements
in the town of Essaouira and the Province
See AUESS Reports from 2012 and
Action Plans & forecast for 2013/14/15
Extension of Essaouira town southwards.
On top to the right you see the Express road
from Marrakech enter the town.
New settlements. South of Essaouira bordering the Duneforest.
Announced at the University
of Essaouira in January 2011, "urban renewal
program in the province of Essaouira" focuses on the
challenges of sustainable development. The quality of life for
people, environment and economic dynamics as well considered,
beautification and landscaping job in urban centers should be
spread over four years and be completed in 2014.
The project concerns the town of Essaouira, but also Ounagha,
Talmest, and Tamanar, Hanchane. In Essaouira is
the entire city from north to south, from east to west, which
will be redeveloped.
Association Essaouira
Mogador
The Association Essaouira Mogador was founded
at the initiative of André
Azoulay souiri and activists in 1992. It first took the
name "Association for the Protection and Promotion of Essaouira"
(ASPDE), becoming in 1997 to become the Association Essaouira
/ Mogador.
Objectives
Safeguarding social and economic heritage
Ensuring preservation of the heritage and urban culture of
the city
The promotion of the city and its region
The reinforcement of economic structure and local infrastructure
Strengthening of the privilege of friendship and solidarity
among members of the association
Insurer cooperation associations "with the same objectives
at local, national and international levels
The preparation of dossiers and issues concerning the Sustainable
Development of the city and the region.
