A project centered upon restoration of the river through the UNESCO World Heritage listed Medina of Fez was awarded the top prize of USD 300,000 and the Global Holcim Awards Gold. A youthful and international project team are remediating the heavily-polluted river Fez to revitalize the ancient heart of the city. The approach includes a series of interventions to renovate traditional tanneries, create public spaces and pedestrian zones, and restore wetlands as well as biodiversity.

Freshwater resources, mountain and landscape restoration and their sustainable management are crucial to maintain healthy ecosystems and the services they provide, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change and adapt to it. The partnership between IUCN and Holcim agreed in 2007 develops a biodiversity strategy and management plan for the company group.

Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General of IUCN applauded the Holcim Awards competition for promoting critical interdisciplinary and long-range perspectives by demonstrating the link between sustainable construction and environmental performance. “The level of commitment for change being shown by the global community to address climate change is, in fact, an incredible opportunity to re-frame our thinking and to put our environment at the center of the discussions.”

 You can read more about the event in here.