HISTORY • SUSTAINABILITY • TEAM • FUTURE EXPANSION

Sustaining community and bridging cultures through historic preservation and education.

Historic preservation holds untapped potential for international aid and community development in developing nations where societies are struggling to find a balance between their traditional cultural identity and the unavoidable demand to become a viable force in the modern and globalizing world.  Too often, efforts at community development implement modern architectural styles or quick and cheap concrete ‘bunker’ architecture to house their projects.  These aesthetics are new and often uncomfortable for the locals and can lead to abandoned efforts.  Alternatively, a familiar and historical aesthetic, when available, has the ability to transition the culture in a safe, comfortable and traditional environment; incorporating its rich history into its expanding future.

This project’s vision is to challenge the traditional attitude regarding aid and development efforts that faster and cheaper results are better and to provide evidence that the added time and financial resources required to incorporate historic preservation will result in an increase in sustainable outcomes.

Sustaining Community The sustainability of rural communities throughout the world is increasingly threatened by better work and educational opportunities in metropolitan areas. By providing work and skill training to locals, through restoration projects, and offering education to men, women, and children, through regional libraries, remote communities and their unique cultures will have a better chance of survival in the modern world.

Bridging Cultures Cross cultural understanding is pertinent to success in the ever globalizing world. This project will provide Western university students and professionals, and Moroccan locals, government agencies and MEPI alumni the opportunity to work together; learning from one another, and ultimately come away with a broader acceptance of a culture different from their own, yet connected it many ways.