Global Practice Community

Incredibly unfortunate news this week regarding the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco.  First and foremost, my sympathies are with the victims and families impacted by the devastating quake.  It is a reality I cannot even begin to imagine.  Earlier this year I had the opportunity to travel through Morrocco with my wife and two young kids so the news of the situation is particularly disheartening.

While I was in Fez and Marrakech, it felt like being transported to a world that existed centuries ago. I was captivated by the Marrakech Medina and the beautiful buildings that surrounded the vibrant space.  The history and culture embodied in the Almohad architecture represents a glimpse of the marvel that contextualized design and how it can help define a culture and society.

I am curious to ask the community: Now what next for the rubble and ruins? What happens when a natural disaster destroys a UNESCO World Heritage site? From a global perspective what is the best way to commemorate, honor or rebuild when unique historical buildings around the world fall to the ground and how can the international architecture community help?

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Jason Holland, AIA
Global Practice Committee Chair 2023
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I concur. I wish international architectural community would recognize this. However, and I will be realistic here, this is not what typically happens. I am from Turkiye, and we had a recent earthquake in Hatay which was full of history and architecture. Prior to that, Iraq war, and if you are remotely interested in history, you know what was lost in Iraq. And many other places at that part of the world. People watch "Casablanca" movie (or if they visited places, they get nostalgic about it). In reality, not many does something about it. These kinds of discussions are helpful to start a dialogue and raise awareness. So, I thank the owner of the post.

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Gulcin "Nida" DeBusk AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-12-2023 09:56 AM
From: Steven Miller
Subject: Impact of Morrocco Earthquake

I agree with Jason about Morocco as a wonderful country with a special culture and people. I have worked there on a number of hotels and residential projects and vacationed in most of the major cities including the of Sacred Town of Moulay Idriss Zerhooun and the Roman town of Volubilis.

Hope the world recognizes the need for their help and support.

Steven 

Sent from my iPad, 

PLANNING AND DESIGN CONSULTANTS, LLC

Steven Miller, FAIA, Emeritus, RIBA

501 SE 2nd Street, Suite 807

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Mobile: +1 516 398 2955 

smiller@plandesignconsult.com

Louise Blanchard Bethune Fellow

Past President AIA Continental Europe, 

Founder AIA Middle East and AIA International

Past Chairman AIA Global Practice Committee

Representative to the College of Fellows for AIAInternational 

Original Message:
Sent: 9/12/2023 10:10:00 AM
From: Gulcin N. DeBusk AIA
Subject: RE: Impact of Morrocco Earthquake

I concur. I wish international architectural community would recognize this. However, and I will be realistic here, this is not what typically happens. I am from Turkiye, and we had a recent earthquake in Hatay which was full of history and architecture. Prior to that, Iraq war, and if you are remotely interested in history, you know what was lost in Iraq. And many other places at that part of the world. People watch "Casablanca" movie (or if they visited places, they get nostalgic about it). In reality, not many does something about it. These kinds of discussions are helpful to start a dialogue and raise awareness. So, I thank the owner of the post.

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Gulcin "Nida" DeBusk AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
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