Tradition and Sustainability in Vernacular Architecture of Southeast Morocco

[EN] This article is presented after ten years of research on the earthen architecture of southeastern Morocco, more specifically that of the natural axis connecting the cities of Midelt and Er-Rachidia, located North and South of the Moroccan northern High Atlas. The typology studied is called ksar (ksour, pl.). Throughout various research projects, we have been able to explore this territory, documenting in field sheets the characteristics of a total of 30 ksour in the Outat valley, 20 in the mountain range and 53 in the Mdagra oasis. The objective of the present work is to analyze, through qualitative and quantitative data, the main characteristics of this vernacular architecture as a perfect example of an environmentally respectful habitat, obtaining concrete data on its traditional character and its sustainability. The methodology followed is based on case studies and, as a result, we have obtained a typological classification of the ksour of this region and their relationship with the territory, as well as the social, functional, defensive, productive, and building characteristics that define them. Knowing and puttin in value this vernacular heritage is the first step towards protecting it and to show our commitment to future generations.This research was funded by the following projects: Arquitectura Habitacional de Tierra en el Alto Atlas Septentrional. Midelt (Marruecos). PAID 06-11; Estudio de la Arquitectura Habitacional de Tierra en el Alto Atlas Septentrional. Midelt (Marruecos). Categorizacion, Sostenibilidad y Puesta en Valor del Patrimonio Arquitectonico para Contribuir a la Descentralizacion y al Desarrollo Sostenible, ADSIDEO-2011; and Arquitectura y Habitat: Investigacion Para la Mejora Global de Espacios Habitacionales en la Region del Tafilalt, AD1409, under the program of Research Projects in Technology for Human of the Center for Development Cooperation of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Gil Piqueras, T.; Rodríguez Navarro, P. (2021). Tradition and Sustainability in Vernacular Architecture of Southeast Morocco. Sustainability. 13(2):1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020684118132Fernandes, J., Peixoto, M., Mateus, R., & Gervásio, H. (2019). Life cycle analysis of environmental impacts of earthen materials in the Portuguese context: Rammed earth and compressed earth blocks. Journal of Cleaner Production, 241, 118286. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118286Arrigoni, A., Beckett, C., Ciancio, D., & Dotelli, G. (2017). Life cycle analysis of environmental impact vs. durability of stabilised rammed earth. Construction and Building Materials, 142, 128-136. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.03.066Peyron, M. (1976). Habitat rural et vie montagnarde dans le Haut Atlas de Midelt (Maroc). Revue de géographie alpine, 64(3), 327-363. doi:10.3406/rga.1976.2051Light Earth Designs: Natural material, natural structure. (2014). Earthen Architecture: Past, Present and Future, 321-326. doi:10.1201/b17392-55Gil-Piqueras, T., & Rodríguez-Navarro, P. (2020). THE <i>KSOUR</i> OF THE MDAGRA OASIS (ER-RACHIDIA, MOROCCO): AN INVENTORY. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLIV-M-1-2020, 961-968. doi:10.5194/isprs-archives-xliv-m-1-2020-961-2020Carta del Patrimonio Vernáculo Construido. Ratificada por la 12 Asamblea General del ICOMOS Celebrada en Mexico del 17 al 24 de Octubre de 1999. Centro de Documentación de la Unescohttps://www.icomos.org/images/DOCUMENTS/Charters/vernacular_sp.pdfInforme de la Comisión Mundial sobre el Medio Ambiente y el Desarrollo. “Nuestro Futuro Común”. Cuadragésimo Segundo Período de Sesiones Terna 83 del Programa Provisionalhttp://www.ecominga.uqam.ca/PDF/BIBLIOGRAPHIE/GUIDE_LECTURE_1/CMMAD-Informe-Comision-Brundtland-sobre-Medio-Ambiente-Desarrollo.pdfComponentes de la Sostenibilidad de la Vivienda Tradicional en la Huasteca Potosina: Hacia una Vivienda Rural Sustentable. Editorial EUMED: Mexico. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosíhttps://www.academia.edu/37283289/COMPONENTES_DE_SOSTENIBILIDAD_DE_LA_VIVIENDA_TRADICIONAL_EN_EL_%C3%81MBITO_RURAL_DE_LA_REGI%C3%93N_HUASTECA_DE_SAN_LUIS_POTOS%C3%8D_HACIA_UNA_ARQUITECTURA_RURAL_SUSTENTABLERodríguez-Navarro, P., & Gil Piqueras, T. (2018). Preservation Strategies for Southern Morocco’s At-Risk Built Heritage. Buildings, 8(2), 16. doi:10.3390/buildings8020016Maldonado Flores, D. I. (2009). LA CLASIFICACIÓN: UNA HERRAMIENTA PARA LA INCLUSIÓN DE LA VIVIENDA VERNÁCULA URBANA EN EL UNIVERSO ARQUITECTÓNICO. Revista INVI, 24(66). doi:10.4067/s0718-83582009000200004Fernandes, J., Mateus, R., Gervásio, H., Silva, S. M., & Bragança, L. (2019). Passive strategies used in Southern Portugal vernacular rammed earth buildings and their influence in thermal performance. Renewable Energy, 142, 345-363. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2019.04.09