On September 8, 2023, Morocco suffered its most devastating earthquake in 60 years, killing more than 2,960 people and injuring thousands more. The effects of the quake reverberated in cities like Marrakech and remote Amazigh villages over 2,000 meters up in the Atlas Mountains. The rebuilding process has been different. Many structures are being rebuilt in cities and tourist areas, but the situation in mountain villages is more complex. Logistical difficulties in reaching these isolated communities may have slowed the arrival of aid, leaving residents waiting for concrete interventions. Living at high altitudes, on the plateaus and slopes of the Atlas, requires targeted strategies to ensure safety and protection, especially in the event of extreme events.

To this day, reconstruction in the most isolated and worst-affected areas is a reserved topic in the halls of government and still under discussion. In some cases, reconstruction is taking place on a voluntary basis, with residents rebuilding their homes themselves. 

The question remains as to the most ideal solution for future housing safety and sustainability in mountainous contexts and steep terrain. Rebuilding requires not only questions about the safety of building materials, but also a careful evaluation of the climatic conditions, morphological, technical and hydrogeological characteristics of the land. In some cases, reconstruction efforts rely on modern materials such as reinforced concrete, which is known for its strength. But are such rigid and heavy concrete structures really as safe as they seem, especially in the visually striking but exposed high altitudes of the plateaus and slopes of the Atlas Mountains?

Reconstructing sustainably, in time and preserving Amazigh identity while ensuring a safer, sustainable future requires an inclusive vision—one that respects unique geographical and cultural peculiarities of these mountain communities.