Climate and sustainable development researchers say the shortage of green spaces in Morocco’s major cities is increasingly straining families during soaring summer temperatures, turning the need for natural spaces into a matter of public health and quality of life.
Speaking to Hespress AR, experts stressed that the issue is not only environmental but also social and economic, especially in densely populated neighborhoods lacking shaded areas or public parks to help residents cope with recurring heatwaves that often peak in July and August.
Rachid Fasah, an environmental activist and sustainable development researcher, said Moroccan urban planning has largely overlooked the need for accessible green areas. “International standards recommend at least 10 square meters of green space per person, while some countries provide up to 20. Morocco falls short of both,” he noted.
Fasah added that cities have prioritized housing and urban expansion at the expense of public spaces, creating neighborhoods with poor planning and limited environmental infrastructure.
This deficit, Fasah argued, exacerbates pollution and heat in urban areas due to the absence of green belts. “The decline in green coverage accelerates warming because ecosystems cannot absorb pollutants effectively. Planting trees, preserving forests, and reinforcing ecosystems are essential to confronting climate challenges and improving urban life,” he said.
Mustapha Benraml, head of the Ecological Beacons Association for Development and Climate, said the lack of green spaces is both an environmental and social issue that has gained urgency in recent years, especially during the summer.
“These spaces are vital to reducing heat and alleviating its impact in urban environments,” he said.
Benraml pointed to rapid urban sprawl, real estate pressure, and weak municipal budgets as key drivers behind the problem. “Available land is often used for housing or commercial projects rather than parks. Even existing green areas suffer from neglect, making them unattractive and dysfunctional,” he said.
He called for integrating green zones into city planning, encouraging civic initiatives like neighborhood gardens and tree-planting campaigns, and investing in the maintenance of public parks. He also stressed the need to include environmental education in schools to raise awareness of the value of green spaces in urban life.
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