Developing eco-construction at the risk of vernacular building cultures Case of Moroccan mountain villages in post-earthquake context
Kenza BELAHNECH, Pierre FERNANDEZ, Khalid EL HARROUNI
Abstract. Growing environmental concerns have renewed interest in natural materials such as stone and earth within the building sector and public institutions. However, there are apprehensions regarding the decline of traditional technical knowledge and the inclination of rural populations to construct dwellings using local resources in remote areas. This paper presents a methodology for studying building cultures and investigates the effects of state intervention and construction sector stakeholders on vernacular building practices of mountain villages. The study examines eight ecological worksites in the Assif El Mal district of Chichaoua, Morocco, as part of the post-earthquake reconstruction program. Research methods included focus groups with beneficiaries, interviews with local master builders, analysis of design documents, and site observations. The findings indicate that these interventions introduce administrative complexity into the vernacular construction process, while also challenging the credibility of local builders. The design team manages the oversight of construction inspired by local techniques, although they face challenges, in implementing improvements for seismic resistance and building durability. The paper offers practical recommendations to enhance coordination between state and professional management and vernacular networks of mediation and organization, thereby reinforcing local knowledge and technical autonomy in natural building.
Keywords
Natural Construction, Vernacular Lifestyles, State Intervention, Building Professions, Cultural Shift
Published online 1/10/2025, 10 pages
Copyright © 2025 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Kenza BELAHNECH, Pierre FERNANDEZ, Khalid EL HARROUNI, Developing eco-construction at the risk of vernacular building cultures Case of Moroccan mountain villages in post-earthquake context, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 47, pp 59-68, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903391-7
The article was published as article 7 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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