Logements sociaux : l’État et Blue City Key lancent le programme 18M
In an effort to reduce the chronic shortage of affordable housing, the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities, and Regional Development is stepping up initiatives to expand access to decent housing. It was in this spirit that the experimental 18M project, the result of a partnership between the government and private stakeholders, including Blue City Key, was presented this Saturday, September 20, in Diamniadio.
This program is part of the National Plan for Access to Housing and is intended to be an immediate and lasting response to the needs of households, particularly those on low incomes.
The project is based on a clearly stated political will of the new authorities. Moussa Balla Fofana, Minister of Urban Planning, recalled that "the deficit we have is a structural deficit and we have a huge amount of housing that we need to build."
According to him, the State's capacity to address this shortfall alone remains limited: "if we calculate the financing needs of this housing stock, it is a need that exceeds the State's capacity." Hence the need, he insists, "to create a synergy between the engineering of public action and the innovation capacity of the private sector."
Technical innovation and social diversity
This is precisely where Blue City Key comes in. Its CEO, Nabil Riad, detailed the scope of this project, which he describes as "experimental." Designed as a model that can be replicated nationwide, it relies on technical innovation and social diversity. "We found certain solutions that, with certain innovative Senegalese materials, also allowed us to integrate eco-sustainable programs," he explained.
He particularly mentioned alternatives to steel frames and lighter materials: "The simple fact of being able to lighten the weight of the building also means a reduction in cost, which means that the load-bearing walls and columns have less load to support."
On an area of 2.33 hectares, 215 housing units will be built, including fifteen adapted for the elderly. "We have designed several housing types with this social and generational mix in mind. We have solutions for people with reduced mobility, as well as for the elderly," Nabil Riad explained.
The program includes additional infrastructure to meet residents' daily needs. "What's important is to have a framework and an environment. And the framework and environment mean health and educational infrastructure that can be relevant to all communities," insisted the CEO of Blue City Key. With this in mind, a multipurpose hall, local shops, and a condominium association for the maintenance of common areas have been integrated into the project.
Minister Moussa Balla Fofana sees this project as a golden opportunity to achieve the authorities' objectives in the sector: "You understand how pleased we are to see this first player in the national program for access to housing and urban renewal, and incha'Allah there will be several."
“Housing is a question of dignity”
According to him, the ambition is to cover "all eight territorial hubs, all departments and all municipalities." He also invited local authorities to become more involved: "Local authorities will have an important role to play because, as we all know, housing is a question of dignity; it is the greatest investment that a couple or an individual will make in their lifetime."
For his part, the General Delegate of the DGPU, Bara Diouf, placed the project within a broader vision of urban development. "To this already ambitious project, another emblematic initiative is now being added: the 18M residential project. On a projected area of 2.33 hectares, 215 housing units will be built, including 15 adapted for the elderly. This choice is not insignificant. It reflects the desire to build an inclusive city where every citizen, regardless of their circumstances, finds their place."
The delegate also highlighted the importance of ecological innovation integrated into urban development: "What makes us unique is our ecological commitment. Solar energy, green energy, innovative waste management, reuse of wastewater and sustainable green spaces."
Beyond its social and environmental dimension, the 18M project is part of a much broader economic strategy. As Nabil Riad pointed out, it is about laying the foundations for "a housing industry," not isolated initiatives. He emphasized the importance of a model that can be duplicated: "The goal of this program is for it to be a model that can be duplicated across the country, and that's what will allow us to have a housing industry and not an isolated housing solution." He added: "It's a program that aims to be responsive, since we've worked on a program for 215 housing units, which allows for a delivery response time of 24 months."
With these characteristics, the 18M program is an attempt to reconcile social urgency, technical innovation, and inclusion. For Minister Moussa Balla Fofana, the challenge goes well beyond construction: "Behind each housing unit, we have more than 20 professions that will be able to benefit from the spinoffs." And, he emphasized the long-term impact: "Housing means paying less rent on income, and you know how important that is."
Launched in partnership with financial institutions such as the Banque de l'Habitat du Sénégal, the project is expected to begin by the end of the year. Its promoters present it as an important step in a more comprehensive urban transformation policy. The minister added that: "When we get down to it, we are capable of demonstrating innovation in the service of the general interest."
Commentaires (13)
Et ça n'a pas manqué... tellement ces gens sont incompétents. Ce projet Macky Sall l'avait lancé. La preuve : https://youtu.be/VF6K3T8L1ao?feature=shared. Ou faites diamniadio green Nabil Riaid. De vrais imposteurs ces gars. La honte!
Shame on you
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