Architecture as Urban Catalyst: Artefacts of Andalus, Rue Guernis, Fes, Morocco

It would sound strange in the 1970s if the term ‘post-impact conservation’ was mentioned, as far as conservation is concerned, this was when the median and the city of Fez as a whole saw it's greatest expansion with the influx of local immigrants into the medina. Broadly speaking, conservation signifies archeological preservation of valuable objects that may likely become extinct. Today, it goes beyond a mere celebration of an historical icon. The pressure of human needs in urban heritage sites has widened the scope of conservation in order to go in tandem with social and economic development. Conservationists came to realise that their task of scrutinising stones and cleaning surfaces is negatively affected by a dearth of funding. The pressing need of the people whose heritage is a living and not a static legacy is consequently dashed.

The changing dimensions of the significance of conservation have divided opinions in Fez into two groups. One opinion maintains the classical dimension while the other includes economic development in the Medina. However, both dimensions are essential. The evolution of a new framework which will appeal to both opinions and at the same time guarantee the continuous existence of heritage sites is imperative.
The Fez Median has a peculiar development potentiality, the sustainability of which should not be allowed to be altered by any negative or positive intervention from outside. It is this sustainability that Richard S. Levine describes as the ‘nested realms’ of social and cultural magnets that make an historic city a vibrant one. To achieve this there should be a defined vision before implementation of physical projects is embarked upon. However, this vision should not be assumed to be a mere parachuted idea or complex equation but rather a holistic approach which can be translated into action in the conservation strategy.
The planning theories that forecast what a city should look like in the next two or three decades no longer stand today. Therefore, instead of spending much time on preparing a long-term urban scenario, a less time-costly alternative is now being discovered by planners. This alternative is learning from best practice and averting the risks and errors observed. As each urban site has its peculiarities the array of their vast problems should therefore be considered.

In order to restore and reconstruct in an area such as the medina, where funding is in short supply, a building must be able to pay for itself, so far, this has been carried out by 'outsiders', who mistakenly interpret Architectural Conservation in such a way that meet's their needs.
The City of Fez is disconnected, much of the money lies in the 'New City' and local government funding for projects often is exasperated in these 'New' areas. From talking to young, local student's it seems that there is neither the willingness nor the money to move back into the medina, it is looked upon with nostalgia but with a sense of 'low rank' when compared to the larger city. I believe there is a way to link these two areas of the city once again, through that of a cultural building highlighting the many redeeming qualities of the Old Medina. An exhibition space, where local craft's can be displayed, activities take place and exhibitions on conservation and 'Medina Enhancement' can be held, offering the local community a sense of pride via a building that grants such. Through this and the prediction that tourism will increase in the area, money and investment will begin to flow into the medina, with the Rue Guernis HUB acting as a catalyst for this.