In 1913, a body of architects, requested by the first Resident-General in Morocco, Marshal Lyautey, began to work on the first urban plan of Casablanca. The city was then on the verge of explosion, constructions were developing in an anarchic manner, land speculation was beginning to rage... the urgency of urban regulation was essential. At the head of this body of architects, Lyautey had Henri Prost appointed Director of the special service of architecture and city plans.

In 1915, Prost presented his first urban plan for Casablanca, commonly called the "Prost Plan". He drew up a semi-radioconcentric plan, based on a hierarchical system of boulevards that connect the structuring points of the city and encircle the central part of the New City.

The Alsace-Lorraine and Liberté districts are expanding inside this central core considered the nerve center of the city. The main administrative services and economic activities of the city are grouped here. It is also where the majority of the European population resides under the Protectorate.

The Mers-Sultan district is particularly associated with Art Deco architecture but also with a very European way of life. Around the Rond-Point Mers-Sultan, it sees the proliferation of cinemas, brasseries, restaurants and cafés with very French names such as Chateaubriand, Alsace-Lorraine, Don Camillo…. It is also home to magnificent buildings that make Casablanca an open-air museum of 20th century architecture. Unfortunately, these buildings are gradually disappearing, replaced by modern constructions.

Let's go with CitizOn to discover these emblematic districts of downtown Casablanca, and discover the history and architecture of its most beautiful buildings.