21 December. Abdellatif El Hajjami, celebrated teacher, architect, and pioneer of conservation and urban rehabilitation in Morocco, left us on 14 December 2010 after a long illness.

A native of Morocco, Mr El Hajjami was well known for his work on the rehabilitation of the Medina of Fez, the country's ancient cultural and spiritual centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.

As former Director-General of the Agence pour la Dédensification et la Réhabilitation de la Médina de Fès (ADER-FES), he directed a large staff in the ambitious and successful project for reviving the medina. The project became a model of its kind, thanks to his efforts to include community stakeholders in the decision-making and restoration process. The incorporation of contemporary development and the economic needs of the inhabitants were at the heart of his strategy, ensuring that the restoration of the Old Town went well beyond simply serving the needs of tourism.

Abdellatif El Hajjami will be remembered for the passion and dedication he had for his native city, his work, and his local community. The Director-General and the staff of ICCROM would like to extend their condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues both in Morocco and abroad.

Mounir Bouchenaki
Director-General

updated on: 21 December, 2010