This piece was co-written with Meryem Harim.
Now and Then
In the heart of the Middle Atlas lies Al Akhawayn University of Ifrane, distinguished by its authentic architecture and unique educational approach. AUI’s setting is far from being a hazardous decision. It was a series of meticulous thinking and planning. The first objective was to enrich the region socio-economically and reduce its discrepancies by creating a vibrant campus that will attract students from all four corners of the globe. Consequently, AUI embarked on its educational journey with less than 200 students until it reached more than 2000 and is growing to reach even more in the next 5 years.
With this growth strategy comes a series of challenges and opportunities namely space congestion and its derivatives ( accommodation, classroom, and dining capacities). The various challenges that AUI students faced in this sense, made us acknowledge the imminent need for architectural growth. In fact, it is logical to deduce that a growing number of students requires a larger campus. However, how can we reach this goal without over-exploiting the natural resources of Ifrane’s flora and fauna?
Inward or Outward Expansion: The Challenge of Space
Greater expansion equals a strong urban print on Ifrane’s town. In other words, AUI will be heading towards a possible new perspective which is to be more accessible to Ifrane’s population and business sites. This inclusive approach is not a foreign practice to AUI’s administration, many visitors could enter campus, either to enjoy its athletics facilities or to hang out in the campus’s open spaces. Therefore, leaning towards a college town perspective will not stagnate AUI’s strategic plans. On the contrary, it will nurture several aspects of Ifrane’s economy, be it the marché, transportation services, downtown, and so forth.
In the United States, campuses are in the thrust of the cultural scene of their region as they engage their students in a wide range of activities such as theater performances, scientific competitions, potlucks, movie screenings, and festivals that enrich the culture of the region. AUI can get inspired from such models of college towns and even take the lead in creating a cultural scene in Ifrane as it is subliminal. Youth from Ifrane can access cultural centers of AUI downtown ( creative centers will be promoting ideas and practices that are adopted by the Liberal Arts System). Workshops for women’s empowerment can take place as well and book launchings and international competitions will start taking the lead.
The above route that AUI can take goes in accordance with the liberal Art’s mission that the university adopts. If a greater number of students are admitted on campus, it will be crucial to consider their creativity and action-planning for the diversification of the University’s activities. Limiting their boundless creative work from space limitations handicaps the social involvement of activities by students who are at the core of the University’s success. In a more hypothetical situation, AUI will give birth to various stadiums, gym centers, food courts, hands-on experience workshops for graduates’ studies preparation, and other fruitful opportunities that were not present these past semesters (Fall 2021-Spring 2021) highlighting the importance of space expansion as a healthy alternative for the University’s long- term success.
And the Environment?
Unfortunately, many negative impressions can arise from this debate of space expansion, namely the overexploitation mentioned above of the flora and fauna on campus. AUI’s distinguished campus is rooted in nature’s scenery and the animals that are now part of the AUI community. Cutting down hectares of forest life for buildings to be present will seem Anti ecological and inconsiderate of the situation. Realistically speaking, there is no other alternative to increase the architectural building for more students to join AUI.
However, sustainable energy projects were launched on-campus that explored practical ways of using natural resources to power a university. If AUI progresses on this path and creates more solar panels, windmills, water turbines, and biomass utilization, the university will proudly say that it made good usage of its environment. The idea here is to proactively think about the after-effects that will be beneficial for AUI’s socio-economic development rather than superficially resorting to one idea: “Cutting down the forest will dilute AUI’s architectural design.”
Therefore, AUI leaning towards a college town comes with a series of responsibilities that include social, environmental, and cultural proactiveness with the town. Such considerations will set an example of a socially responsible town that will become the region’s catalyst for developpment.
