SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The thesis examines processes of change in a geographic context within the region of the south of Morocco over the past fifty years. The most striking phenomenon, that of the rise to political and economic dominance within the region of the town of Agadir, is examined in parallel with the consequent relative decline of two other centres in the area, Taroudant and Tiznit, and with their eventual, delayed growth, though of a weaker nature. Various approaches are adopted in the course of the study including historical and economic analyses, and a mathematical technique is devised to yield a practical measure of the degree of demographic-spatial concentration within a specified area. A general theme of the thesis is that of the division between centre and periphery at different levels of political organization, and of a related, particularly Moroccan, concept of a division of specific areas into 'utile' and 'inutile' portions. On the administrative side the process of fragmentation of existing provinces and the creation of new provinces is examined, together with the consequent apparent devolution of some political responsibilities; on the economic side recent projects are discussed, including those in the sectors of agriculture, mining, industry, fishing and port activity, as well as tourism and urban development. It is felt that the limited political decentralization effected has far outpaced any real economic decentralization. Finally, likely future projects, including that of a railway link between the area and the north of Morocco, are critically assessed as regards their impact on the region. It is concluded that planning for the region is uncoordinated and in many cases misdirected both in. terms of the types and spatial locations of projects as well as the time scales being proposed for their development.