PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AS CATALYSTS FOR SMART CITIES IN MOROCCO: INTEGRATING AI, IOT, AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

Autors/ores

  • Mohammed Boulghalagh Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences-Souissi, Rabat, Morocco
  • Hiba Berrahal PhD Student, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences-Souissi, Rabat, Morocco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejefr.v9i3.2007

Paraules clau:

public-private partnerships (PPPs, smart cities, Morocco, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), sustainable infrastructure, urban development, innovation, urban governance, digital transformation

Resum

As cities around the world face growing challenges due to rapid urbanization, smart cities are becoming essential solutions. These cities rely on advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and sustainable infrastructure to enhance governance and improve the quality of public services. In the Moroccan context, the development of smart cities is gaining significant attention, and we see Public-Private Partnerships as essential mechanisms for bridging the gap between public needs and private innovation. In this study, we examine the contribution of Public-Private Partnerships to Morocco’s smart city initiatives, with a particular focus on how they support the integration of digital technologies and sustainable infrastructure. Our analysis draws on empirical literature, selected case studies, and qualitative data to better understand the current status of smart city projects in Morocco. We also explore key challenges these initiatives face, including regulatory complexity, financial constraints, and technological limitations, while assessing the extent to which PPPs can drive innovation and efficiency. By comparing Morocco’s experience with international best practices, we seek to offer practical recommendations for enhancing the PPP framework. Our findings point to the need for more robust policy frameworks, greater engagement from the private sector, and the development of innovative financing tools to ensure the successful evolution of smart and resilient cities in Morocco.

 

JEL: H54, L32, O18, Q01, O33

 

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Biografies de l'autor/a

  • Mohammed Boulghalagh, Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences-Souissi, Rabat, Morocco

    Mohammed Boulghalegh is a professor of public law at Mohammed V University in Rabat, Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences – Souissi. His research interests include public policy, administrative law, and governance mechanisms in public-private partnerships. He has supervised numerous doctoral theses and published extensively on legal and institutional reforms in Morocco.

  • Hiba Berrahal, PhD Student, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences-Souissi, Rabat, Morocco

    Hiba Berrahal is a PhD candidate in Public Law at Mohammed V University in Rabat. Her doctoral research focuses on the role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure management and energy transition, with a comparative perspective between Morocco and Germany. She has presented her work at national and international forums and is currently engaged in research on digital governance and sustainable public services.

Referències

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(HCP), Haut-Commissariat au Plan, 2023. Données démographiques 2023. Rabat, Morocco.

(SAZ), Société d'Aménagement de Zenata, 2021. Présentation des projets PPP pour la ville de Zenata.

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Descàrregues

Publicat

2025-08-11

Número

Vol. 9 Núm. 3 (2025)

Secció

Articles