The development of a conservation and rehabilitation plan (CRP) for the earthen Kasbah of Taourirt in southern Morocco

The pre-Saharan valleys of southern Morocco are home to thousands of earthen kasbahs, or fortified earthen
settlements, which are unfortunately being lost at an alarming rate. In 2011 the Getty Conservation Institute
(GCI) collaborated with the Centre de Conservation et de Réhabilation du Patrimoine Architectural des Zones
Atlasiques et Subatlasiques (CERKAS) to develop a Conservation and Rehabilitation Plan (CRP) for one of the
region’s most significant earthen sites, Kasbah Taourirt in Ouarzazate. A registered national monument dating
from the 16th century, Kasbah Taourirt was once a residence of the Glaoua Caid, who ruled the region in the
19th and early 20th centuries. Its richly decorated architecture and wall paintings represent Berber culture and
include building types of high architectural, social and historical significance. The main objective of the project
was to develop a methodology for preserving Kasbah Taourirt that addresses economic, social, cultural and
technical challenges holistically and can serve as a model for similar sites in the region. The CRP sought to
establish an appropriate conservation process that respects the original fabric, preserves local building traditions
and promotes earthen architecture, develops appropriate participatory processes and builds local capacity. The
project has been implemented in three phases: Phase one included the documentation of the entire earthen
complex. Phase two encompassed the development of the conservation and rehabilitation plan, a process
completed collaboratively with the community and Ouarzazate Municipality which considers the re-use of the
whole ensemble and each of its sectors, its future management and maintenance, and protection of the original
natural setting. This work has also involved emergency stabilization of vulnerable buildings and testing for the
conservation of wall paintings. Phase three is the publication of the plan and dissemination of information
about the site to local authorities, scholars, and the community. All phases have included training and capacity
building on aspects related to the conservation of earthen sites including 1) documentation, 2) rehabilitation
planning; and 3) analysis of earthen materials and conservation of wall paintings. This paper describes the
components of the project, presents a critical view of the different activities involved in producing the CRP,
and suggests a model for best practice in dealing with similar sites in the region.