Fes Reborn: A Project on an Ancient City

Fes is magnificent. Fes is conservation. Fes is reborn. Massive walls shimmer golden in the evening light. We enter a maze of narrow sand-colored alleys with an aura of spices, chorus of prayers and hidden mysteries. Founded in the 9th century, the Medina of Fes was the capital of Morocco and it is still considered by many to be the intellectual and cultural heart of the kingdom. As a car-free living museum with immense architectural and historic treasures, the city is faced with deterioration and abandonment. Will conservation enhance a cultural dialogue and foster socioeconomic cohesion towards a sustainable redevelopment? Fes Reborn is an architectural journey that reflects upon one of the most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Islamic World. Studies, essays and interviews are presented with analytical graphics, data, drawings and photo journals. The complexity of a medieval urban form and its relevance in the modern world is unraveled. This book offers designers, researchers and travelers an insight into conservation, tourism, art and the community of Fes. Selected design proposals create a dialogue between cultural authenticity, craftsmanship and sustainable technologies. Following conservation guidelines, these projects offer provocative new ideas for a careful revitalization and rehabilitation of the Medina.