M'hamdia Adopts 5-Year Development Plan 2026-2030
The local council of M'hamdia, in the governorate of Ben Arous, has announced the adoption of its 5-year development plan for 2026-2030. A total of 78 projects have been validated by the local council, ranging from road rehabilitation and sanitation network construction to the creation of a local airport, a university hub, a center for autistic children, sports complexes, an open-air theater, and the requalification of historical heritage.
A Forgotten History: M'hamdia's Neglected Tourist Potential
In the past, M'hamdia was part of the prosperous agricultural plain of the Tunis region, known for its vast orchards and ancient buildings, vestiges of the Husseinite and Beylical eras. Ottoman barracks (including the famous Qachla), ancient caravan routes, and a small network of fortifications testified to a rich strategic and cultural past. However, this wealth has been largely ignored in urban planning over the past few decades. M'hamdia has instead become known for its anarchic urbanization, transportation problems, and, in recent years, a reputation for insecurity and lack of basic infrastructure.
The Dream of a Metro and RFR... That Dates Back!
Among the flagship projects of this new plan is the connection of M'hamdia to the light metro and Rapid Railway Network (RFR). These promises are not new: since the 2000s, residents have been hearing about a rapid transportation system to unlock the city, but nothing concrete has ever materialized. The European Investment Bank (EIB) report from January 2020 explicitly highlights "the accumulated delays in the implementation of the project and the lack of information communicated to funders" and mentions institutional difficulties since 2011.
A Local Airport...
Another notable announcement is the construction of a local airport. While the idea of boosting the economy through air transport may be appealing, many wonder about the economic viability of such a project, given the region's proximity to Tunis-Carthage Airport, located less than 25 km away.
The Key Question Remains Feasibility
The success of such plans depends not only on political will but also on administrative efficiency, access to investment credits, and project continuity.
A Potential to be Realized
To address critics, Mohamed Taher Aousgi, accountant and council member, clarifies via a Facebook post:
"The 5-year plan is not an electoral program, as some might think. It's about submitting development project proposals tailored to each delegation's specificities, examining blocked projects, and drafting laws that respond to the current situation and break with outdated legislation. Most of these projects will not be completed within the next five years. They must first obtain validation from the Ministry of Development and Planning, then be adopted by the Assembly of People's Representatives, before seeking necessary funding. These funds will be distributed progressively over the 5-year period, and some projects may even exceed the 2030 horizon."
If all these promises come to fruition, M'hamdia could finally transform its structural weaknesses into genuine development levers. Let's hope that M'hamdia will rediscover its place in Tunisia's tourist landscape, thanks to the valorization of its neglected heritage, inherited from the Husseinite and Beylical eras. Let's dream that by 2030, this locality, often relegated to the background, will become a prized destination, both for local tourists and international visitors, proud of its roots, Ottoman barracks, orchards, and forgotten charm. The question remains whether, this time, this dream of rebirth – cherished for decades – will finally be lived by its inhabitants.
