Sustainability in Rabat: How Green is This Urban Space?
so here's the thing about rabat... it's not exactly the poster child for "eco-friendly utopia" but it's not drowning in smog either. i spent two weeks here bouncing between medina alleys and seaside promenades, and the sustainability vibe is... complicated. like, you'll see solar panels on some government buildings, but also heaps of plastic bags tangled in bougainvillea. the city's trying though - there's a new tram system that actually works and cuts down car traffic, which is huge for a capital. air quality's not terrible compared to casablanca, but don't expect berlin-level bike lanes either.
overheard from a local vendor: "they plant trees but never water them. we just wait for rain." fair point. rabat's green spaces are gorgeous when maintained - the andalusian gardens are lush, but stray outside tourist zones and you'll find abandoned lots with more trash than tulips.
*cost of living data (because numbers don't lie, unlike city planners):
- average rent (city center): $300/month
- monthly transport pass: $18
- domestic beer at a local bar: $3
- solar-powered bus stops: 12 installed (progress!)
weather's wild rn - it's early spring, so one day you're sweating in a t-shirt, next day you're hiding from a sandstorm that turns the sky orange. locals just shrug and say "atlantic mood swings." nearby spots like casablanca and sale are just a short train ride away if you need a change of (slightly less sustainable) scenery.
the eco-friendly businesses here are mostly grassroots - think family-run shops selling argan oil in reusable containers, not hipster zero-waste stores. check out souk es sebbat for authentic, low-waste shopping. for green spaces, jardin d'essais is your best bet - it's like the city's lungs.
the real sustainability hack? walk everywhere. the medina's a maze but it's car-free, and you'll stumble on community gardens tucked between buildings. just watch out for the occasional donkey cart - they're greener than ubers but less predictable.
local gossip corner*: "the new eco-district? it's just fancy apartments with a few solar panels. regular folks can't afford it." another said, "we recycle, but the trucks mix everything anyway. it's for show." ouch.
if you're planning to stay, join this rabat expat reddit for real-time tips on green living. and maybe bring your own water bottle - the city's working on it, but you'll still see more plastic bottles than palm trees.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/fitness-and-wellness-the-best-gyms-and-yoga-studios-in-kumamoto
- https://topiclo.com/post/parttime-job-hustle-in-campo-grande-what-students-are-really-doing
- https://topiclo.com/post/starting-a-business-in-marseille-local-regulations-tax-info-2
- https://topiclo.com/post/al-huffs-seasonal-weather-a-chaotic-year-in-saudi-arabias-eastern-province
- https://topiclo.com/post/finding-an-englishspeaking-doctor-in-provo-a-budget-students-chaotic-survival-guide