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

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.

• 420 hectares of land reclaimed from the sea:

1.      380 Ha gained in phase 1 and 2 with over and under water excavations and barrier constructions
2.      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.