Resilience of Moroccan territories facing economic and environmental shocks: a qualitative documentary study of adaptation and diversification strategies[La résilience des territoires marocains face aux chocs économiques et environnementaux : une étude qualitative documentaire des stratégies d’adaptation et de diversification]

This article explores the resilience of Moroccan territories facing economic and environmental shocks through a qualitative documentary analysis of adaptation and diversification strategies. In a global context marked by increasing volatility of economic markets and intensification of extreme climatic phenomena, understanding the mechanisms through which territories develop and maintain their resilience has become crucial. Morocco, as an emerging country located in a geographically and climatically vulnerable region, is particularly exposed to these shocks, whether of economic origin or environmental origin.Given the scarcity of disaggregated regional empirical data suitable for spatial econometric modeling, this study adopts a qualitative documentary approach to identify and analyze adaptation and diversification strategies implemented by institutional actors and researchers. This methodology proves particularly relevant as it allows for in-depth exploration of perceptions, strategies, and discourses of key actors through the analysis of official reports, national and regional strategic documents,as well as relevant scientific articles. This approach offers a wealth of contextual information and a nuanced understanding of resilience dynamics, enabling comprehension of how and why strategies are implemented, beyond simply measuring their impact.The documentary corpus includes reports from key Moroccan institutions such as the High Commission for Planning (HCP), the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as local resilience strategies for cities like Fez and Mohammedia, the National Climate Plan 2020-2030, and World Bank publications. The qualitative analysis was conducted through two complementary stages: lexicographic analysis and thematic analysis, utilizing functionalities inspired by QSR.NVivo and MAXQDA software to systematically extract and organize information.Results obtained through lexicographic and thematic analyses reveal several key themes structuring territorial resilience in Morocco. Environmental adaptation strategies focus on proactive water management through major hydraulic infrastructure development and usage optimization, integrated disaster risk prevention including risk mapping and early warning systems, and promotion of resilient agriculture based on agroecological principles. Economic diversification strategies emphasize developing high value-added sectors such as automotive and aeronautics, intensifying foreign direct investment attraction efforts, and strengthening institutional support for the domestic private sector.The analysis also highlights the critical role of governance and public policies through strategic planning, intersectoral coordination, and supportive macroeconomic policies that create an institutional environment conducive to resilience development. Additionally, social protection and human capital development, encompassing direct social assistance programs and investments in education and professional training, strengthen populations'intrinsic capacity to effectively face shocks while improving overall social and economic resilience of territories.The article presents a conceptual model synthesizing the complex interrelationships between exogenous shocks, deployed strategies, and facilitating factors. This model illustrates how territorial resilience represents not a definitively acquired static state, but rather an evolving and continuous process of collective learning, progressive adaptation, and structural transformation. The study emphasizes a multidimensional approach to resilience, underlining the importance of proactive public policies and intersectoral collaboration to strengthen Moroccan territories'capacity to absorb, recover, and transform in the face of disruptions. The findings converge with recent quantitative analyses demonstrating that governance quality and adaptive capacities constitute primary determinants of resilience, surpassing the importance of macroeconomic stability alone.