About
Ibn Zaydoun Park
A Historic Site: In 1966, the fourth issue of the African Journal of Architecture and Urbanism a+u, dedicated to Agadir, now stands as a valuable documentation of the urban vision of that era, especially focusing on public developments. On page 60, Jean Challet, the first landscape architect of Ibn Zaydoun Garden, praises the benefits of public gardens, creating clear interruptions in the urban fabric, providing oases of calm isolated from aggressive built volumes and noisy traffic. He describes the 'Urban Center Garden,' corresponding to the lower part of the current Ibn Zaydoun Garden, with the upper part still considered a wooded area.
Jean Challet, the first landscape architect of the garden, came from a family of florists and nurserymen. He was a horticultural engineer from the National School of Horticulture in Versailles in 1945, followed by a botany license from the Sorbonne. In 1949, he completed his internship in Denmark with landscape architect Axel Andersen, experiencing a different approach to landscape thinking on an urban scale. After working in Paris, he joined the Urban Planning Service of Morocco in 1951, noticed by urbanist Michel Écochard along with his classmate Pierre Mas. Jean Challet obtained his landscape architect diploma in 1954. From 1960, he contributed to the urban planning scheme for Agadir's reconstruction, studying the open space system and implementing green spaces in the city under the supervision of the High Commission for the Reconstruction of Agadir (HCRA). He left Morocco in 1967 after this experience. (Source: Landscape Projects Review)
The New Ibn Zaydoun Urban Park: After various developments, including the integration of a skate park and sports equipment in the upper part of the garden in 2008, Ibn Zaydoun Garden now undergoes a complete requalification as part of the Environmental Preservation & Green Space Development component of the Agadir PDU 2020-2024. Managed by the Agadir Souss-Massa Development Local Company, the delegated project manager, the Ibn Zaydoun Urban Park's development has a total cost of 25 MDH and an expected completion date in the first quarter of 2023. Divided into two garden sections on either side of President Kennedy Avenue, the Ibn Zaydoun Urban Park receives personalized enhancements in each area.
Lower Part: Ibn Zaydoun Garden I
Considered a historic site, Ibn Zaydoun Garden I covers the lower part of the urban park, spanning 4.67 hectares between President Kennedy Avenue and Prince Moulay Abdallah Avenue. Its original layout, landscape architecture, ornaments, and plant heritage will be preserved. Entrances and perimeter walls will respect an architectural identity reflecting its history and Amazigh influences of the region. To meet users' expectations, Ibn Zaydoun Garden I will have renovated sidewalks and pedestrian paths, refurbished squares, fountains, urban furniture, and signage. Access and pathways will be created for people with reduced mobility. This part of the urban park will also host a sculpture paying tribute to the poet Ibn Zaydoun.
Upper Part: Ibn Zaydoun Garden II
Ibn Zaydoun Garden II covers the former wooded area, now the upper part of the urban park, extending over 6.85 hectares east of President Kennedy Avenue. This section will have entrances adorned with materials harmonizing with the surrounding landscape, renewed pedestrian paths with access for people with reduced mobility, and updated urban furniture. Relaxation squares will enhance the stroll for users, and its landscaped lake will undergo a complete renovation, protected by a fence. This part of the urban park is ideal for sports, walking, and jogging.
Flora Discovery: The richness of Ibn Zaydoun Urban Park's plant life, along with explanatory panels, will allow visitors to explore flora adapted to the region's climate—a veritable open-air exhibition of Mediterranean flora, aromatic plants, and semi-aquatic vegetation. For irrigation, the entire garden incorporates an environmental approach, seeking ecological water supply sources. Eventually, it will benefit from an automatic watering system, a pumping station, a green waste storage area, as well as stormwater drainage and sanitation networks.
Children's Playground: Through the planned redevelopment, Ibn Zaydoun Urban Park will become an exceptional outdoor play and promenade area for children, offering new, safety-compliant play areas. Beyond the essential swings, carousels, and slides, children can test their agility on an adventure course specially created for them, resembling a mini adventure park. The more daring can tackle the slopes of the famous skate park in the garden, completely renovated and brought up to standards.
Fitness for All: Enthusiasts of brisk walking along the corniche will find Ibn Zaydoun Urban Park a delightful new outing spot at any time of the day, thanks to the providential shade of trees. With a fitness trail, the garden will provide users with a warm-up area, pedestrian paths suitable for jogging, and numerous sports facilities. People of all ages will find their rhythm and happiness to maintain their fitness and improve their well-being.