RABATSTREET

DISTRICTPUBLIC SPACE

MOHAMMED V AVENUE - RABAT CITY CENTRE The Mohammed V avenue is the most impor-tant avenue in the city centre of Rabat. The Parliament house,Central Bank,Morocco Tele-com and Morocco Post have their headquarters here. In Addition major trademark brands have branches situated here.It is a great place because of the quality of the open space. One can go shopping or just sit around under the palm trees to pass the time vibrancy of this avenue is also as a result of the parliament house. Most Protests go on here,hence the avenue is always full of people going about their business be it political com-mercial etc.The avenue has a long history. It Is an extension of a traditional alley from the adjacent Medina. Let’s Say the modern extension of a traditional alleyway. The Planner’s of Rabat,specifically the planner Prost so the necessity of prolonging an existing alley.People from all walks of life use it as it is an avenue of major activities.The avenue begins in the old traditional Medina quarter and leads to Rabat’s main train station.People who use it say it is one of the most suc-cessful avenues. As a result of it’s success,plan-ners occasionally try to replicate it in others parts of Morocco.As most of the buildings here are of great his-toric importance,they are preserved by the city council,except for occasional renovations it has been stable for a while.

Parli

amen

t Hou

se

Fountain

Cen

tral

Ban

k

STREET

THE KASBAH DES OUDAYAS

DISTRICTSTREET

The Kasbah des Oudayas is the oldest district of Rabat. The Very history of Rabat begins here. It Is told that the founders of Rabat,who were pirates ,lay wait here before they went pillaging on the high seas. It Has the typical characteristics of a traditional Medina,with winding alleys,dead ends and a central mosque. The chief pirate or the sultan had a place with an Andalusian garden as evident in the aerial photo adjacent. It is one of the most important sites in Rabat as it tells the tale of the making of Rabat,the Bourgreg River and the sea are spectacular views from it.In spite of its age,dating back to the 12th century it is still inhabited by the inde-gens of Rabat as well as foreigners.It is still a vibrant district with its famous Cafe Maure which is filled daily by tour-ists. There are also host houses for tourists.However,in spite of regulations people have begun to build with modern materi-als, spoiling the traditional look of the place.

The Hassan 2 “Tower“ and Mausoleum complex is an ancient mosque and burial ground for the past monarchs of Morocco. It is one of the most important sacred grounds in Rabat. The Minaret seen in the photos is one of the highest with the white marble pillars are the only remains of the never completed mosque dating back to the 15th century.As a public space it is free entry,people flock to the place to pay homage to the past Kings as well as hang out in the gardens adjacent to it.Almost all tourists visit this place once in Rabat.As a sacred ground changes are very minimal,except for renovations nothing has changed since its opening.

HASSAN II TOWER AND MAUSOLEUM

PUBLIC SPACE