PRCA (an abbreviation that will soon become widely known) aims to change the living conditions of citizens in many cities. It stands for “Regeneration Program of Historic Urban Centers” and the planned works will start in seven municipalities: Sousse, Medenin, Monastir, Rades, Kelibia, Ras Djebel and Usha.
Minister of Public Works and Housing Sula Zuari announced that the project is scheduled to start in the second and third quarters of 2026, adding that the project is expected to last approximately 18 months.
“These municipalities have reached an advanced stage of technical studies and will be ready to start construction after completing these studies, preparing tender documents, opening a call for tenders and selecting a contractor,” he explained.
The PRCA has a budget of 15 million euros (more than 50 million Tunisian dinars) and is co-financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The program aims to improve the living conditions of residents, promote the socio-economic integration of the historic center, strengthen its unique characteristics and strengthen its cultural and tourist attraction, through a comprehensive approach that takes into account not only urban and architectural aspects, but also socio-economic and institutional factors, emphasized the Director General of Housing Neziv Sunussi.
He further revealed that the PRCA has five main elements. These include the restoration of basic infrastructure, the improvement of public spaces, the valorization of cultural heritage, the renovation and reuse of historic buildings, and the promotion and revitalization of economic, tourism and artisanal activities alongside the improvement of housing.
He also noted that the 10 municipalities selected for the PRCA were selected through a call for expressions of interest (CEI) organized in two stages, with 53 municipalities submitting 55 applications.
The selected municipalities are: Sousse, Neftah, Kairouan, Nabul, Monastir, Rades, Medenin, Kelibia, Ras Jebel, and Usha.
Technical research has already begun in Sousse, Medenin, Monastir, Rades, Kelibia, Ras Jebel and Usha, and preparations are underway in Nefta, Kairouan and Nabul.
strategic importance
According to the Minister of Public Works, the high number of municipalities participating in the call for expressions of interest (53 municipalities, 55 applications) reflects a growing awareness of the strategic importance of such interventions.
He stressed that the revitalization of historic centers is a national priority. This regeneration relies on a comprehensive approach aimed at strengthening the tangible and intangible heritage, preserving the social fabric, strengthening infrastructure, improving living conditions and creating sustainable economic and cultural dynamics that ensure the long-term vitality of these spaces and their full integration into the urban environment.
The minister noted that social and economic changes over the past decades have contributed to the weakening of many historic centres, the deterioration of some components of the urban fabric, complex land ownership situations and the decline of traditional activities.
He explained that the technical and architectural research focuses on architectural surveys, diagnosis and evaluation of infrastructure networks, and the creation of intervention proposals in line with heritage protection requirements, current urban planning standards and local traditions.
participatory approach
The design and implementation of PRCA projects relies on a participatory approach and a step-by-step methodology that involves all stakeholders and beneficiaries.
This approach has involved residents, center users, civil society and organizations, while ensuring collaboration with the various public authorities and institutions involved in the programme, he added.
By 2028, Zuari concluded, residents and users of historic urban centers will be able to see the tangible benefits of these interventions, returning these areas to vibrant and attractive hubs through a marked improvement in the quality of life, a revival of economic and cultural activity, and a restoration of urban and social dynamics.
