Morocco enacts new earthquake-resistant building regulations

On Thursday, the Government Council adopted draft Decree 2.24.766 amending and supplementing Decree 2.02.177 approving the Earthquake-Resistant Construction Regulations (R.P.S 2000) applicable to buildings, setting out the earthquake-resistant rules and establishing the National Earthquake Engineering Committee.

Presented by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Minister of National Land Planning, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Policy, this draft is part of national efforts to deal with the aftermath of the Earthquake that struck Morocco on September 8, 2023, particularly as regards the reconstruction of affected areas, said Mustapha Baitas, Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament and Government Spokesman, at a press briefing following the Council meeting.

This text, he pointed out, aims to revise speed values and speed and acceleration zones in certain communes, taking into account scientific seismic data recorded in this respect.