Forms of Resistance in Moroccan slums: case of “elkoura” neighborhood in Rabat

Abstract

This sociological research addresses the question of the production and rehabilitation of urban space in Morocco. The aim is to reveal the new aspect of producing urban space and stakes that lie behind the discourse of managing and rebranding the city. To do so, this qualitative fieldwork presents the case of the city of Rabat, Morocco, to highlight the ways of resistance adopted by the residents of Douar El-Kora against their rehousing operation, one of the oldest slums in the capital. The findings illustrate that people’s resistance goes beyond acquiring a “decent house” or a modern apartment. Residents of Douar El-Kora reacted to express their right to the city by staying in-situ. Concerning resistance, the failure or success of the social protest is based on a social network that has been developed throughout years of neighboring, kinship and friendship