CHIS 23A02 - Casablanca: Lessons from a modern urban adventure (1920-2024)

This course aims to provide a cross-disciplinary understanding of the various influences affecting the urbanisation process in Casablanca, Morocco.

During the 20th century, Casablanca was a field of experimentation for architecture and town planning. Casablanca town planning plan and regulations served as a model for the development of numerous European cities for fifty years. The first reinforced concrete vaults were built in Casablanca, by the Perret Brothers in 1917 who rebuilt Le Havre, for instance. Furthermore, the buildings benefit from comfort years before European ones (bathroom, WC, storage room, garbage, elevators, underground parking). We find all the avant-garde architectural trends that were tested between 1920 and 1975 such as art nouveau, neo-classicism, art deco, functionalism, brutalism…and new paradigms for town planning: zoning, large boulevards, building permits, large complexes...

This class is a journey in Casablanca, an open-air school, frequently visited by architects and urban planners from around the world for its heritage and history. The course is based on case-studies, novels and movies about the Moroccan city.

*« Reaction picture » (30%): You are going to select a picture to answer to debate question and to explain your choice by writing a short paper. I am also expecting you to present it in front of your classmates (5'). This exercise will help you to improve your understanding of Casablanca’s urban environment and history.

*Groupwork (40%): You will have to form groups (2/3 students), to create a city tour related to the topics seen in class and submit a 3000 words paper and a PPT presentation. This exercise helps your teacher to check your understanding of the concepts/references seen in class.