Advancing Land Equity in Urban Planning: A Prototype “GisEquity” Integrating GIS and Python Algorithm for Fair Land Allocation in Morocco

Abstract

The valuation of building plots is intricately linked to their development potential and the density permitted by urban planning regulations. However, contemporary urban planning documents have increasingly become instruments for either enriching or impoverishing Moroccans, emphasizing the necessity of upholding the principle of land equity as mandated by Moroccan law. This article presents a prototype that leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and a Python algorithm to promote land, social, and territorial equity in public land development policies, particularly within the framework of urban development plans, while navigating the complexities of the Moroccan land landscape. To achieve this objective, a Spatial Data Warehouse (SDW) has been established, integrating official census data from 2014 obtained from the Haut Commissariat au Plan (HCP) website, alongside pertinent geographic information for the commune of Bni-Makada in the Tangier region. This SDW will be enhanced with a spatial layer delineating the various legal regimes governing land ownership in Morocco, including the State's public and private domains, forest lands, private property, collective land, “guiche” land, and “habous” land. Furthermore, a Python algorithm has been developed to harness the data within the SDW, enabling essential operations such as rotation and translation to identify optimal land locations that uphold principles of equity. Additionally, the algorithm can determine the fairest location based on motivated intersection percentages, ensuring comprehensive consideration of relevant factors in decision-making processes.