The Neglect of Public Spaces: A Recurring Issue in Tunisia
The younger generation may not be aware of the significance of a square, a statue standing in the middle of a public space, or an iconic pool that has fallen into disrepair and oblivion. Recently, the Barcelone and Mongi Bali squares were completely renovated and inaugurated by the Head of State, who had previously overseen the restoration of the Belvédère pool and Pasteur Square.
These two cultural landmarks have given hope to those who have always wanted to see the capital city of Tunisia relaunch and take its rightful place. The city has just been designated as one of the cleanest on the continent. However, the problem lies not in the renovation itself, but in the post-inauguration period. How will the newly restored spaces be preserved and maintained?
Originally, these spaces were bustling with activity and played a vital role in the community. The Belvédère pool was a basic infrastructure that allowed North African swimming to compete seriously with French swimming. The Barcelone and Bali squares were a mandatory passage for those arriving in the capital from the southern suburbs or interior cities. They were crowded with people, and businesses were thriving. However, neglect and complacency began to take over, with broken pavement, neglected trash, and non-functioning showers and water supply.
Now that everything has been restored to its former glory, the question remains: how will these regenerated assets be managed and maintained to prevent them from falling into disrepair again? This is a common issue with many of Tunisia's installations and infrastructure, which were once a source of pride but have become unusable.
The state of the metro terminal station is a prime example, with its deteriorating condition a testament to the lack of maintenance and upkeep. The buses were vandalized shortly after being put into service, and medical facilities have been damaged in fits of destructive rage. These senseless acts of destruction are a result of a lack of civility and discipline, as well as a lack of professionalism and fear of future developments among personnel.
It is essential to educate and convince people of the importance of maintaining public spaces, rather than giving up. The managers of these spaces have not yet understood that neglecting maintenance can lead to total collapse. This is due to a congenital lethargy that has taken hold of many responsible individuals, who lack reactivity.
The Ministry of Equipment's immediate response to the issue of "speed bumps" and the danger they pose is a positive example. The ministry has reacted quickly, and those who install these speed bumps without authorization will be heavily sanctioned. It is hoped that those that have been poorly installed will be corrected.
The responsibility of those in charge of maintenance and upkeep is immense, regardless of the lack of civility among citizens. There is a lack of initiative and professionalism among those responsible for repairs and follow-up. Simply filling a hole or repairing a problem does not mean doing it in a hurry, but rather ensuring that the work does not need to be redone a few weeks later.
These responsible individuals should not be confined to offices but should be out in the field, controlling and monitoring the situation. They should be reporting problems daily, such as broken lights, water leaks, hanging electrical or telephone wires, non-functioning traffic lights, and overflowing trash cans. All these issues should be signaled to the relevant service, which should address them immediately, under penalty of severe sanctions.
In countries that possess a sense of urgency and are sensitive to image and prestige, things return to normal quickly after an accident or incident. Specialized teams intervene and do the work without being asked. They do not come to sip tea.
There is a mentality that needs to be changed. This is the price to pay when there is a lack of civility, discipline, and professionalism, as well as a fear of future developments among personnel. In this case, education and conviction are necessary, rather than giving up.
The establishment of an emergency office in each municipality, as is the case in more advanced countries, is crucial. In addition to alerts launched by citizens, mobile patrols should verify, inspect, and estimate the situation to ensure a return to normal within hours, not months. This office should demand that the intervening party mobilize immediately to restore the situation, under penalty of severe sanctions.
The introduction of municipal guard units, whose role will be extremely important, will also play a significant part in maintaining order and discipline. The presence of these patrols, equipped with sufficient means of intervention, will be a deterrent to potential offenders. There will be less illegal occupation of roads and sidewalks, and people will be less likely to litter or park in double or triple rows.
For municipalities, this will mean earning money and establishing order and discipline. This is the minimum that can be done in a country renowned for its tourism.
