URBAN PLANNING
Create a new mixed use urban neighbourhood in Sfax
The city of Sfax launched a project to develop a new mixed-use district focused on sustainable development, integrated within the existing urban fabric. The Taparura project includes a major intervention gaining 420 Ha land from the sea, in order to redevelop the beach and including new areas for housing, restaurants, leisure activities for tourism and quality public spaces.
Tags: City Development, Urban Regeneration, Spatial Planning, Housing
Challenges addressed
- Enlarge the city and rehabilitate the coastline
- Create a new neighbourhood integrated in the urban fabric
- Integrate the natural environment and new infrastructure
- Improve the attractiveness of Sfax
Main objectives
- Clean up the northern coast of Sfax
- Rehabilitation of the beach area
- Create 420 Ha of new land, gained from the sea
- Create a mixed-use district that joins hotels and housing, commercial activities and services, as well as green spaces and public facilities
Facts
Project type Development of a mixed-use neighbourhood
and reconnect city with seafront
Promoter The Company for the Study and Planning of
the North Coasts of the City of Sfax
Start date 2006
Funding Municipality of Sfax, Urban Projects Finance Initiative
Budget 87 million Euros
Website www.taparura.com
Project description
The City of Sfax and its Company for the Study and Planning of the North Coasts of Sfax promoted the project Taparura, which consisted in the development of a new mixed-use district focused on sustainable development and integrated in the existing urban fabric of the city. Sfax is currently the 2nd largest city and 2nd economic hub of Tunisia, with 500.000 inhabitants.
Thanks to the support and funding of the Urban Projects Finance Initiative, the city started the project in 2006. Because of its magnitude and great potential, the project has been recognised by the Union for the Mediterranean, which gave it the UfM label in 2014.
In the first phases of the project, a total amount of 420 Ha of land was gained from the sea and the clean-up and rehabilitation works of the coastline and the 6 km beaches begun. Basic infrastructure such as main roads and secondary roads were developed. Around 40 Ha are under construction with the aim of building a new mixed-use district in order to become an area of excellence and to attract sustainable tourism and economic growth.
The development of the area includes hotels, housing, commercial activities, services, green spaces and public facilities, while promoting the coexistence of the natural environment and the large economic infrastructure.
Impact and results
- 420 hectares of land reclaimed from the sea:
- 380 Ha gained in phase 1 and 2 with over and under water excavations and barrier constructions
- 40 Ha gained in phase 3 thanks to after follow up works
- 50.000 – 70.000 potential new residents
- Clean and rehabilitation of the north coasts of the City of Sfax
- Equip the area with basic infrastructure: main and secondary roads
- Development of mixed-use activities: real estate, services, trade, housing, community facilities, entertainment activities, etc.
