فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Despite its rich cultural and historical heritage that earned it a spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the city of Meknes faces what many residents describe as systematic neglect. Key sectors such as infrastructure, culture, tourism, and employment have been largely overlooked, fueling growing discontent among locals.
Once the stronghold of Sultan Moulay Ismail and a symbol of Moroccan state power, Meknes now grapples with decaying streets, suffocating traffic, and a notable lack of public services—particularly in working-class and marginalized neighborhoods.
Crumbling Infrastructure and Stalled Projects
Many neighborhoods across the city are plagued by deteriorating roads, inadequate street lighting, and a lack of green spaces. Local civil society actors point to a number of developmental projects that remain stalled or have been abandoned altogether.
One member of the local community commented,
“Meknes is not just a memory from the past—it’s a forgotten city in the present. What we need is a clear vision to rescue it from marginalization, not just seasonal promises.”
Tourism Sector – Wasted Potential
Although Meknes boasts significant tourist potential—including ancient monuments, historic mosques, and imperial gardens—its poor infrastructure and outdated promotional strategies have prevented the city from fully capitalizing on this heritage. Tourism professionals lament the stagnation in visitor activity compared to nearby cities like Fes and Marrakech.
Youth Facing Unemployment and Uncertainty
The city’s youth face a particularly grim reality marked by high unemployment rates and a scarcity of job opportunities, especially in peripheral neighborhoods. Many are calling for genuine policies that include them in the economic fabric and promote local investment, instead of merely offering slogans and empty rhetoric.
Urgent Calls to Save the “Ismaili Capital”
Amid this reality, voices from both within and outside the city are calling for urgent intervention from the state and elected bodies. Their demands center on launching real development projects, allocating sufficient funding to rehabilitate basic infrastructure, and preserving the city’s historical and cultural identity.
Until concrete action is taken, Meknes—a city that has withstood the trials of centuries—continues to fight a new battle: one against being forgotten.
Source: Fes News Media
