Green infrastructure towards an integrated green system in Arab cities

Eng. Lotfi Dachraoui currently serves as Acting Secretary General of the Municipality of Tunis, overseeing the management of Tunis Municipality’s affairs, blending engineering expertise with administrative leadership. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the National School of Engineers of Sfax in 1987 and has over 35 years of experience in both public and private sectors, with a focus on environmental management and municipal services. He previously held leadership roles at Ariana Municipality, managing equipment, sanitation, and waste systems, and led multiple senior leadership training workshops. A certified insurance expert and member of the Engineers’ Council, he has participated in national initiatives and international programs. Today, he directs the day-to-day management of urban services while coordinating efforts to ensure the capital’s sustainable development.

Tunis has become a leading regional example in transforming neglected public spaces through
participatory greening projects. These initiatives expand the city’s green areas, reduce the impact of
high temperatures, and enhance the quality of life across both historic and modern neighborhoods. In
this issue of Mudununa, published by the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), we spotlight Tunis’
pioneering approach to green infrastructure in urban areas. The city focuses on creating shaded spaces,
enhancing biodiversity, and integrating natureinspired solutions into urban planning and public space design. In this interview, H.E. Mr. Lotfi Dachraoui, Acting Secretary General of the Municipality of Tunis, shares how practical projects have transformed the city’s vision into reality improving residents’ quality of life and fostering greener, more vibrant, and inclusive neighborhoods.

How does green infrastructure enhance residents’ well-being, visitor comfort, and reduce heat and flooding across Tunis? In today’s urban reality, green infrastructure is no longer a luxury or an afterthought it is a vital component of urban well-being. Streets lined with shade, green spaces integrated close to residential areas, and cleaner air all contribute to higher comfort levels and a better quality of daily life for residents and visitors alike. Such improvements make city living more pleasant and enjoyable, and their benefits are felt every moment of the day. The most immediate and noticeable impact is heat. In Tunis, long, hot summers make densely built neighborhoods with concrete and asphalt roads unbearably warm. Trees and shaded areas play a crucial role in transforming this daily experience. Even a small
green space can noticeably lower temperatures, providing tangible relief to residents. Consultations
conducted during the development of the “Tunis City Development 2050” strategy confirmed this, with the vision of a “clean, healthy, and green city” emerging as the top priority in public opinion surveys.

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