Urbanization Rate Reaches 72% in Tunisia, with 4,000 Hectares of Land Consumed Annually

Tunisia's urbanization rate has reached nearly 72% in 2025, with an estimated 4,000 hectares of land consumed annually. Approximately 40% of this land is being exploited through "anarchic urban expansion." Moreover, around half of Tunisian households are still not connected to the National Sanitation Office (ONAS) network, according to data confirmed by Dr. Asma El Gharbi, a lecturer-researcher and expert in territorial development.

Challenges of Sustainable Urban Development in Tunisia

During a presentation on the challenges of sustainable urban development and the prospects of sustainable construction in Tunisia, Dr. El Gharbi highlighted the indicators that reflect the scope of urban and environmental challenges facing the country, particularly in the face of accelerated demographic, climatic, and social mutations. She emphasized that the entire Tunisian territory has now acquired a practical urban character, requiring a rethinking of the concept of sustainable construction within a global vision that goes beyond the building itself to encompass the entire urban and territorial space.

From Building to Resilient City and Territorial Connectivity

The expert stressed the need to move from a "building" logic to a "resilient city" and "territorial connectivity" logic through the integration of environmental principles into urban planning and city policies, to reconcile development requirements with ecological challenges. She noted that the fundamental problem in Tunisia is not the absence of laws or institutions, as the country has a solid and flexible legislative and institutional framework. Rather, the problem arises from the current sectoral governance model, where "different sectors operate in a siloed manner, without horizontal or vertical coordination, limiting the effectiveness of public policies and weakening communication between institutions and citizens."

Need for Clear Operational Plans and Measurable Measures

Dr. El Gharbi also criticized the "absence" of clear operational plans despite the multiplicity of studies and director plans, indicating that Tunisia needs practical execution mechanisms and applicable, measurable measures. She highlighted that the National Development Plan 2026-2030 is in line with Tunisia's international commitments, including the conclusions of the 2016 United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The plan adopts a participatory and integrated approach that encompasses urban sprawl management, historic center and medina integration, energy transition and climate change adaptation, digital transition, and artificial intelligence reinforcement.

Proposed Solutions

Dr. El Gharbi emphasized the importance of establishing open territorial governance based on the publication of indicators and results, as well as the adoption of strategic dashboards. She also called for expanding participation to include the public and private sectors, civil society, and citizens, while improving communication with residents and local actors. She stressed the need to move from the recommendation phase to the legal obligation phase by promulgating clear laws that impose sustainable construction standards while ensuring their applicability and social acceptability.

Densification, Transportation, and Ecological Urbanism

In the same context, she suggested adopting a policy of urban densification based on encouraging compact urban forms, optimizing land use, and achieving social and spatial mixity. She also recommended supporting public transportation, encouraging cycling cities, and reducing dependence on cars. Finally, Dr. El Gharbi emphasized the importance of strengthening urban ecology by integrating nature into cities and seeking environmentally adapted solutions to local specifics, while providing a legislative framework to generalize innovative experiences and extend the impact of sustainable practices.