Endangered building cultures in Morocco: The case of Tazotas in Doukkala region
Samia NAKKOUCH, Mohamed FILALI
Abstract. Moroccan vernacular architecture reflects the diversity of cultural, social, and environmental specificities of local communities and regions. Authentic local know-how utilizing various techniques such as rammed earth, adobe, and stone building is contextually developed by local traditions, materials, and climate conditions. The survival of these traditional building cultures, in a contemporary context of modernization of construction techniques, depends on several anthropogenic factors. The replacement or extinction of these traditions would imply a significant loss of cultural heritage, architectural diversity, and local knowledge concerning sustainability and environmental adaptation. The Doukkala region known for its vast agricultural plains, situated in the east-southern countryside of Casablanca-Settat region, has witnessed the development of a unique dry stone construction technique known as Tazotas. The remaining structures featuring this specific architecture are currently facing constant transformations and destruction due to inhabitants’ practices and adaptations, which endanger the remaining traces of this unique local vernacular tradition. This study aims to explore the characteristics of this exceptional building culture identifying practices and transformations likely to conserve or imperil its remaining landmarks. The results are based on an empirical study that involved extensive fieldwork, surveys, material samples testing, and interviews with residents and Tazotas owners.
Keywords
Tazotas, Dry Stone Building Culture, Endangered Local Know-How, Transformations, Anthropogenic Factors, Morocco
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: Samia NAKKOUCH, Mohamed FILALI, Endangered building cultures in Morocco: The case of Tazotas in Doukkala region, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 47, pp 81-90, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903391-9
The article was published as article 9 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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