Cultural revitalization and tourist conversion of historical monuments: The cases of the ancient medinas of Fez and Tunis

Cultural revitalization and tourist conversion of historical monuments: The cases of the ancient medinas of Fez and Tunis

BOUKIL Mehdi

Abstract. This article explores the similarities between the medinas of Fes and Tunis, focusing on cultural repurposing projects. Both cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and share similar heritage resources, including mosques, mausoleums, madrasas, zawiyas, and traditional houses. As popular tourist and artisanal destinations, both medinas have undertaken multiple heritage rehabilitation initiatives and policies. Significant investments have been made in the cultural repurposing and economic revitalization of restored heritage, avoiding the construction of new cultural spaces by repurposing vacant buildings within the medina. This strategy aims to give contemporary functions to historic buildings while preserving their architectural integrity. By doing so, it ensures the conservation of the historic center, supports its development and breathes new life into unoccupied structures.

Keywords
Restoration, Revitalization, Tourism, Cultural Heritage, Medinas, Historical Monuments

Published online 1/10/2025, 7 pages
Copyright © 2025 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA

Citation: BOUKIL Mehdi, Cultural revitalization and tourist conversion of historical monuments: The cases of the ancient medinas of Fez and Tunis, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 47, pp 165-171, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903391-19

The article was published as article 19 of the book Vernacular Architecture

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

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