Project Statement

This thesis proposes adapting traditional water management practices for the colonial city of Tunis to reduce flash flood impacts by 9%, while nurturing spaces for flood control, temperature regulation, and social interaction. Colonial and post-colonial development ignored water systems, and climate change has worsened the situation.The study developed a “shallow water dictionary” and documented multi-scalar traditional water management practices as a manual for future landscape architectural in Tunis.This project proposes an updated version of the traditional North African water management systems to address critical urban issues in Tunis: sea level rise and flash floods, rising temperatures, social vulnerability, and habitat preservation.

Project Narrative

Tunis, Tunisia's capital, with a rich history and cultural heritage, has faced severe water management challenges since the colonial period, worsened by climate change. During colonization, traditional water systems in Medina, the historical part of Tunis, were largely cast aside as the new city was constructed. The colonial city, which ignores indigenous knowledge, has resulted in frequent inland flooding, rising temperatures, habitat loss, and increased social vulnerabilities. Climate change has intensified these problems, making a sustainable water strategy more urgent.

The project began with an in-depth analysis of historical water management practices in Medina and Tunisia. These practices were compiled into a "Tunisia Shallow Water Dictionary," a collection of updated versions of traditional water management systems that were highly effective before the colonial period. This dictionary served as a guideline for future interventions to adapt these indigenous techniques to current needs.

The project identified 84 potential sites across Tunis, including urban leftovers and open spaces, targeted for design by 2050. These sites were categorized by size (XL, L, M, S, XS) to assign appropriate shallow water typologies. One urban and three neighborhood-scale sites were selected: one XL, one M, and one small.

For the urban-scale site, an intervention was proposed based on the adaptive reuse of the inactive Rapid Railway Network of Tunis (RFR) project. The plan is to repurpose it as a canal that mitigates flooding and serves as a recreational green space for the community. The type of shallow water system used for this site is the Wadi system, an ephemeral riverbed that sometimes fills with water and remains dry otherwise.

All 84 sites require a water management timeline with wet and dry seasons and two transitional periods. Al Habib Thamer Park (XL size) uses the Jessour and Tabia traditional systems based on their size and slope. Jessour involves building stone dams to slow water movement and prevent erosion, and acts as a sponge during the wet season, absorbing rainwater to prevent flooding and storing it in the soil. Tabia, which features terraced fields for water retention and soil fertility, was adapted for steeper areas of the park. In the dry season, the park becomes productive, providing food and economic benefits while maintaining a cool oasis for recreation. Medium-sized sites, such as the Bab Souika, were designed with the half-moon typology, while small sites, like Bab Bnet, utilized the Zai system.

Dynamic zoning strategies adapt urban spaces to climatic conditions, converting flood-prone areas into water sponges during rainy seasons and recreational parks during dry periods. This enhances the city's resilience against future climate uncertainties. Along with Dynamic Zoning, the project proposes establishing the "Tunis Water Management Trust" to maintain and manage water systems, involving local communities to ensure sustainability and continuing engagement.

"The Oasis Effect" serves as a model for transforming urban areas, especially in arid regions, by restoring and adapting traditional water management systems to create a resilient urban environment while respecting historical roots. Interventions in 84 selected sites are expected to mitigate about 9% of inland floods, with the project envisioned to extend beyond these sites, creating a cohesive water management system reminiscent of Medina's historical network.