Urbanization, Informal Settlements, and Social Welfare in African Moroccan Cities: A Comparative Study

Urbanization in African Moroccan cities has led to significant population growth, particularly in informal settlements where social welfare services are often inadequate. A comparative case study approach was employed, involving interviews with local residents, surveys, and archival research in two Moroccan cities: Casablanca and Marrakech. In both cities, informal settlement residents reported a significant gap between the services they need and those provided by the government. In Casablanca, this gap was particularly pronounced for healthcare facilities. The study highlights the urgent need for targeted social welfare policies in Moroccan urban contexts to address disparities within informal settlements. Policy recommendations include increased funding for healthcare services specifically tailored to the needs of informal settlement residents and improved coordination between government agencies and local communities. Urbanization, Informal Settlements, Social Welfare, Comparative Study, African Morocco