Cultural heritage tourism and urban regeneration: The case of Fez Medina in Morocco

Urban regeneration in historic cities, such as Fez Medina in Morocco, can achieve economic and social sustainability without displacing local communities. The 'Ziyarates Fez' project demonstrates an innovative approach to rehabilitating traditional houses for tourism while preserving their original occupants. This study highlights how previous strategies, focused on physical development and riad hotels, exacerbated gentrification and socioeconomic stratification. By employing a mixed-method approach—including desk research, content analysis, fieldwork, observations, and qualitative interviews—the research identifies holistic regeneration strategies that balance conservation with modern needs. These findings contribute to global efforts in sustainable urban regeneration, offering actionable insights for policymakers and researchers.

Boussaa, D., & Madandola, M. (2024). Cultural heritage tourism and urban regeneration: The case of Fez Medina in Morocco. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 13(6), 1228–1248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2024.04.008