The Social Mix in the Bensouda Neighborhood of Fez

Abstract As Moroccan cities experience significant urban changes, studying social mix in resettled communities is vital for understanding how public policies affect social cohesion. While resettlement efforts have certainly improved living conditions, they also raise worries about how people will live together and how well they will adapt to their new surroundings. This study analyzes the dynamics of social mixing in the Bensouda district of Fez, Morocco. Bensouda, once characterized by makeshift dwellings, has seen significant changes. These alterations stem from resettlement initiatives tied to the national 'Cities Without Slums' program. The goal is to investigate the real-world interactions between long-term inhabitants and new arrivals, and to evaluate if their relationship is meaningful or just a formality. Using a theoretical framework from urban sociology and a quantitative approach based on semi-structured interviews, this study explores how different groups perceive, act, and interact with each other. The study included 57 Bensouda residents, chosen to represent the neighborhood's varied social, demographic, and housing characteristics. Findings indicate that: 1) coexistence between long-term and newly resettled residents remains characterized by social segmentation despite occasional acts of solidarity and neighborly assistance; 2) differentiated uses of public space reflect persistent symbolic boundaries between social groups, evidenced by low participation in collective activities and unequal appropriation of public places; 3) rehousing policies—primarily focused on physical access to housing—have insufficiently incorporated the social dimensions of integration, thereby limiting the emergence of a shared sense of belonging within the neighborhood. The study underlines the limitations of resettlement programs and underscores the necessity to rethink social integration instruments inside Moroccan urban developments. Keywords: Bensouda neighborhood, resettlement, social mix, urban planning, urban sociology