This study examines the impact of contemporary urban development initiatives in Morocco, with a particular focus on community displacement and the active role of women in resisting forced relocations and top-down policies. Since the early 2000s, state-led and internationally financed waterfront development projects have significantly reshaped the urban fabric of Rabat-Salé. These initiatives include tramway extensions, marina constructions, restoration of historical monuments, and the creation of cultural centers, transforming traditional neighborhoods into tourist destinations and upscale residential areas. These modernization efforts have often entailed the demolition of entire neighborhoods and informal settlements. Despite official promises of fair compensation and participatory grievance mechanisms, the projects have sparked social conflict, particularly among marginalized populations facing displacement. In response, many residents have mobilized to contest the state’s unequal and technocratic rehousing strategies. This research sheds light on the gendered dimensions of these urban transformations, focusing on the specific ways in which relocation policies have affected women and how women have organized to challenge these injustices. Women from disadvantaged communities have frequently been at the forefront of grassroots mobilizations, deploying creative and resourceful strategies to make their voices heard and influence public decisions. Despite limited resources, they have asserted their rights to the city, to secure livelihoods, and to cultural continuity. The findings offer valuable insights into how women engage with and resist gentrification processes, highlighting the intersections of gender, class, and power. This study contributes to broader debates on urban justice, gendered citizenship, and the right to the city in the context of the Global South.

Urban Sociology, Gender and Urban Planning, Rabat-Salé, Gentrification, Women’s Mobilizations, Informal Settlements, Rehousing Policies, Local Governance