Keio SFC Academic Society, Research Grant 2021
Investigative Fieldwork Report
Investigating the Factors of Urban Change and Adaptationin Moroccan Cities
Mohammed Aqil CHEDDADI
PhD. Candidate, Graduate School of Media and GovernanceThis fieldwork to Morocco investigates the factors of change in the Moroccan urban landscapeand the degrees of adaptability of different urban settings to these factors. The purpose of thisstudy trip is to conduct an on-site qualitative investigation study for my doctoral research thatinvestigates new models of adaptive urban development through the development and use ofurban simulations tools for the Moroccan context. The use of more flexible and dynamic urban
development design and policies adaptability and more diversification to the benefit of thepractice of urban design; while keeping a degree of preservation of the social, cultural, andspatial characteristics peculiar to Moroccan urban settings.
In my doctoral research, it is anticipated that an algorithmic design model is a fitting
contemporary solution that can simulate and offer a wide range of objective-based spatial
solutions in such an urban context. This research aims to define how traditional ways ofdwelling that were characterized by their spatial adaptability can be leveraged to be applied
for urban design in contemporary ways of dwelling. This can be especially useful in the case ofsocial housing and high-density planning, a feature that current practices of urbanism in thecontext of some Islamic emerging countries like Morocco is still so far lacking. Ultimately, theresearch aims to explore the possibilities of new models of urbanism that can evolve withgrowing human needs and allow for a malleable urban space.
As part of my current study about the defining factors of the urban form of Islamic cities, I
conducted investigative fieldwork in the cities of Rabat and Salé in Morocco from August 13thto September 2nd 2021. The purpose of this research activity was to collect first-handinformation about the urban growth of urban tissues of old Islamic cities, and new towns ofMorocco. In addition, I also conducted interviews with several professionals, scholars andresearchers that specialize in the urban history of Morocco, urban planning, and social
housing policies. Additionally, I also consulted with architects of the ministry of urbanism andhabitat, and professionals of the Mohamed 6 polytechnic university at Benguerir.
,By engaging in this activity, I could reach a better understanding of the relation between thecurrent and historical socio-cultural factors, the environmental setting, the demographic andhow they reflect on the urban change and transformation of different urban settings andtypologies in Morocco. By analyzing the architectural survey findings and correlate them with
the interviews to set up evaluation criteria that can assess the adaptability of urban
settlements in the face of various constraints and other factors of change. I am currently

analysing the findings for policy and design recommendations that can bring about adevelopment model that learns from the adaptability and resilience of traditional towns andapplies learned lessons to nowadays context.
I conducted a field survey for a more handson observation of the medina urban typology.
To establish a more detailed Idea aboutbuilding typologies in the Medinas, I surveyed
the Medina of Salé city to familiarize myself
with the field that was subject to the previousresearch works. This survey was conducted
while also focusing on the factors of change,growth, and deterioration of these urban
tissues. It was also a convenient opportunity
to focus on the defining aspects of the medina
typology and gather photographic material
for further study. These data help to better
understand patterns of transformation
through long periods in the face of
demographic and environmental change.
Assessing the current state of these urban
tissues from a socio-spatial perspective wasalso part of this fieldwork. This implies
studying how the urban space is practicedand socially produced through the applicationof a spatial analysis approach that considers
factors of change and evolution of sociospatial needs.

The bare walls of the Medina of Salé, August2021

To investigate the factors of urban change, I also conducted semi-structured interviews withexperts. I was able to gather data about the historical sites (traditional towns of Morocco), as
well as ‘new towns’ (large scale development projects) to analyze the degrees of adaptabilityof these types of settlements in face of urban change. By conducting these interviews, I wascould better understand the social, administrative, and economic factors that define theorganization, growth, and adaptation of contemporary developments when compared totraditional ones.
This fieldwork was an important step in gathering documentation and primary data forrefining and narrowing down the subject of my doctorate research. Indeed, discussing withvarious researchers that are knowledgeable about the topic of Islamic cities was highly
beneficial and has allowed me to establish a stronger network that I could rely on in the future
steps of my study. The research documentation and photographic material that I gathered,including references in the Arabic language as well as unpublished research thesis only
available in Morocco are going to be the subject of further study in the weeks to come after myreturn to Japan.