International Symposium: The Architectural and Landscape Identity Confronting Natural Risks in the Euro-Mediterranean Region

The Euromed School of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning (EMADU) of the Euromed University of Fes organized an international symposium on December 12, 2024, on the theme "Architectural and Landscape Identity in the Face of Natural Risks in the Euro-Mediterranean Region".

This event explored the major challenges posed by the intensification of natural risks – such as earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and landslides – in a context of climate change and rapid urbanization.

The discussions particularly highlighted the vulnerabilities of heritage buildings, as revealed by the Al Haouz earthquake in September 2023. This tragedy, which destroyed thousands of earthen buildings, resonated with similar realities experienced in other countries in the region, notably Italy, Greece, and Turkey, which are also marked by intense seismic activity.

Experts in architecture, urban planning, engineering, and risk management, alongside local and national decision-makers, debated strategies to strengthen the resilience of territories and preserve their cultural and heritage identity.

Among the major themes addressed were:

• The adaptation of construction practices in the face of seismic and climatic challenges.
• The integration of local materials and traditional techniques from a resilience perspective.
• The role of public infrastructure and urban spaces in the proactive management of risks.
• Sustainable urban planning and tools to reduce the vulnerability of populations.

This symposium also opened a reflection on the necessary balance between safety and the preservation of architectural heritage, a crucial issue for the future of Euro-Mediterranean territories.

A series of recommendations was formulated to guide the design and development of territories exposed to natural risks, reconciling sustainability and heritage safeguarding.