Exploring the Effects of Urbanization on Indigenous Lives
In a groundbreaking research initiative, Mustapha Outbakat, a PhD candidate specializing in Anthropology, delves into the profound transformations experienced by Indigenous communities in the Anza, Drarga, and Ait Toukt districts of Agadir, Morocco. This study focuses on the intricate relationship between tourism-driven urbanization and the burgeoning agribusiness sector, scrutinizing how these forces collectively reshape land ownership and access to resources. The findings reveal a troubling trend: the expansion of global capital, coupled with commercial agriculture and tourism development, often leads to the displacement and marginalization of Indigenous populations. Through meticulous analysis of these intertwined economic and spatial processes, Outbakat sheds light on the far-reaching social, economic, and environmental repercussions of development on the livelihoods of Indigenous communities in southern Morocco.
Supported by the Mosafer fellowship, Outbakat recently completed the final phase of his extensive year-long fieldwork in Agadir, where he gathered critical data and insights that contribute to our understanding of these dynamics. His research not only highlights the immediate impacts of urbanization but also raises pertinent questions about sustainability and equity in the face of rapid development. The implications of this study are significant, offering a comprehensive overview of how tourism and agribusiness intersect with Indigenous rights and community resilience.
As reported by international.ucla.edu.
