Informality and Innovation: Building Post-Pandemic Resilient Communities in Morocco. Echoes from the Suq: Exploring Informality. the Case of Rabat

This research investigates the informal economy in Morocco, using the suq (market/bazaar) of Rabat as a case study. In Morocco, the suq plays a central role in the urban informal economy and it exemplifies how informal economic activities sustain urban life in contexts of high unemployment and limited access to formal jobs. However, the exploration of suqs as sites of informal governance moves beyond a narrow focus on economic considerations. In fact, the processes of economic informality cannot be separated from those of urban informality, as they are closely interconnected.

During the French protectorate (1912-1956)- apart from a small neighbourhood built for Moroccan employees- the entirety of the ‘new Rabat’ was exclusively reserved for Europeans. The theory underlying this research is that the French protectorate had a huge impact on the spread of informality since the city was strictly divided between Moroccan (medina) and European zones (ville nouvelle). What happened in Morocco during the protectorate era had a profound impact on its urban space and- still until nowadays- downtown (home to the Parliament and governmental institutions) is often deemed an inviolable zone, subjecting street vendors to frequent forced evictions. However, itinerant trade not only persisted within the medina but also thrived and expanded over the years. Rabat, as the capital of Morocco, best embodies the urban policies implemented during the French protectorate. Therefore, this research aims to explore the cultural and social legacy of the suq, in contrast to the space of the ville nouvelle. Using a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from sociology and urban anthropology, this study seeks to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on informal markets.