CASABLANCA’S TRAM LINE
Casablanca’s second tram line redesigns the city
- Client: Casa-Transport SA
- Project management: AREP, CID and Systra
- Operator: RATP DEV – Casa Tramway
- Studies: September 2015-March 2016
- Construction work: November 2015
- Opening: September 2018
Casablanca’s second tram line spans 22.5 km and runs through nine districts, complementing the development of the urban transport network that began with Tram Line 1 in 2008. AREP has been responsible for the entire project management, which encompasses the urban integration of the tram line, streetscape remodelling, landscape strategy, as well as street furniture and station design.
Promoting a coherent streetscape design
The tram line runs through a diverse urban fabric in terms of form and landscape. AREP developed a coherent streetscape design in line with tram line 1 to promote the emergence of new urban centres across eight large boulevards. Furniture and fittings comply with branding guidelines aimed at achieving a consistent graphic identity throughout the tram stations, while the public realm along the tram corridor has been reconsidered and undergone upgrading from building facade to building facade.
The tram line runs through a diverse urban fabric in terms of form and landscape. AREP developed a coherent streetscape design in line with tram line 1 to promote the emergence of new urban centres across eight large boulevards. Furniture and fittings comply with branding guidelines aimed at achieving a consistent graphic identity throughout the tram stations, while the public realm along the tram corridor has been reconsidered and undergone upgrading from building facade to building facade.
Vidéo: Entrée de la première rame de la seconde ligne de tramway T2 dans le centre de maintenance CDM BERNOUSSI - AREP 2018 / M. Lorenzo
Key figures
- Tram line 2: urban integration and requalification: 19.5km / T1 extension line: 2 km
- Extension of tram line 1: 2 km
- Two maintenance facilities: Facultés (1.5 ha) and Sidi Bernoussi (3.5 ha)
- 22 tram stations and three different designs
- 13 electric substations
- 800 palm trees along the tram corridor
- 1200 trees planted on the pavements and plazas
- Two major plazas: Sraghna-Bouchentouf (8 ha) and Préfecture Ain Sebâa (3.5 ha)
Ensuring visual identity through vegetation, ground surfacing and furniture
- Existing plant species have been retained and enriched with the use of diverse native species. Two rows of palm trees punctuated by low-growing fine grasses run along the tram corridor. Pavements are lined with tall trees that provide shading and coolness.
- The tramway corridor and platforms are paved with pinky beige architectural concrete that ensures graphic continuity throughout the different neighbourhoods. The pavements are floored with gray asphalt, thus creating contrast and visibility throughout the transport network.
- A customized street furniture range, comprising lighting poles, benches, litterbins, bollards and barriers, has been designed for the public realm along the tram corridor, while an Art Deco-inspired furniture range (shelters, litterbins, barriers, signs) has been created for the stations.