CASA MEMORY

Casablanca is a city in full mutation, probably more concerned about its future than its past.... Following the demolition, for speculation, of a villa built by Marius Boyer, the Casa Mémoire association was founded in 1995 under the aegis of influential Moroccan architects. This non-profit association, headed by the famous architect Rachid Andaloussi, aims to protect the architectural heritage of the 20th century by identifying its buildings of interest so that they can be protected. The list contains about 4,000 to date. The association hopes that the city of Casablanca will be able to join UNESCO's heritage as a "city of the 20th century. "During the protectorate era, the European enthusiasm for this port city with its immense economic potential attracted many investors and, in their wake, great architects of the first half of the 20th century. The Art Nouveau, Art Deco or Bauhaus styles have been mixed with local architectural know-how, innovative, a hybrid aesthetic described as neo-Moorish. As urban planning was still in its infancy at the time, Casablanca's development coincided with its pioneering research in spatial planning. In this sense, the city was a real laboratory for experimentation.

Guided tours. In order to raise awareness among the general public by teaching them to look at the city, visits are organized by the association. The tour starts at the level of the Arab League Park and follows the main roads of the protectorate city: United Nations Square, Mohammed-V Square and Boulevard, Lalla-Yacout Avenue... During this pleasant urban stroll, we discover at a steady pace the fascinating history of a city then in full expansion where the best architects of the early 20th century distinguished themselves.

Evolution of the association. Recently, Casa Mémoire has been very active in support of Heritage Days and also organizes "Heritage Night" events. You will find information about these events on the association's Facebook page, which is quite well kept