Since the implementation of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, the world has tirelessly worked to reverse the effects of climate change through the use of sustainable technologies and innovations, however, few countries are as determined as Morocco in lowering their carbon footprint. The rise in global average temperature combined with a history of poor resource management has left Morocco with an abundance of issues including water scarcity, deforestation, and desertification. One of the major contributors to this problem is cultural institutions cemented in tradition, such as the Hammam, which continues to use outdated and inefficient water practices and heating methods.
The Moroccan Hammam & its Environmental Impact
The Hammam, or the public bathhouse, is a critical element of every Moroccan neighborhood. Traditionally, the Hammam existed as a religious necessity, allowing practicing Muslims to be in a state of major ritual cleansing, before reading from the Qu’ran on Friday, the day of prayer. Today the Hammam still holds an important religious function, however, it has also gained a cultural and physical role, allowing Moroccans to both socialize and physically cleanse themselves. When visiting the Hammam, Moroccans are often unaware that how they interact with space is detrimental to the environment. As such, to address the flaws of the traditional Hammam, we must reengineer the institution instead of its user.
The commitment to tradition in Hammams has led to outdated management styles that waste an excessive amount of resources and put a strain on the environment. To heat the vast amounts of water and steam required for the bathing ritual, Hammams use a staggering amount of wood to fuel the furnaces. Wood harvested from the already scarce forests furthers deforestation, and in turn, contributes to land degradation and desertification. When it comes to water, patrons average over one hundred liters per visit, partly because traditional Hammams heat water beyond a comfortable temperature, requiring bathers to cool the water themselves by mixing the over-heated water with cold water. Additionally, greywater waste from Hammams contaminates local groundwater supplies with chemicals found in soaps and shampoos. Finally, due to the furnace setup used, those fueling the fire face dangerous conditions, including backfire and smoke inhalation, the latter of which directly affects the surrounding communities. With all these environmental impacts and health risks taken into consideration, it is apparent that a change to the current management methods of traditional Hammams is necessary. Even though the Hammam is still an essential aspect of Moroccan culture, there is rarely consideration amongst Hammam owners for resource management or the dangers this service poses to the environment. Luckily, there may be options for mitigating the detrimental effects of Hammams.
The Hammam, or the public bathhouse, is a critical element of every Moroccan neighborhood. Traditionally, the Hammam existed as a religious necessity, allowing practicing Muslims to be in a state of major ritual cleansing, before reading from the Qu’ran on Friday, the day of prayer. Today the Hammam still holds an important religious function, however, it has also gained a cultural and physical role, allowing Moroccans to both socialize and physically cleanse themselves. When visiting the Hammam, Moroccans are often unaware that how they interact with space is detrimental to the environment. As such, to address the flaws of the traditional Hammam, we must reengineer the institution instead of its user.
The commitment to tradition in Hammams has led to outdated management styles that waste an excessive amount of resources and put a strain on the environment. To heat the vast amounts of water and steam required for the bathing ritual, Hammams use a staggering amount of wood to fuel the furnaces. Wood harvested from the already scarce forests furthers deforestation, and in turn, contributes to land degradation and desertification. When it comes to water, patrons average over one hundred liters per visit, partly because traditional Hammams heat water beyond a comfortable temperature, requiring bathers to cool the water themselves by mixing the over-heated water with cold water. Additionally, greywater waste from Hammams contaminates local groundwater supplies with chemicals found in soaps and shampoos. Finally, due to the furnace setup used, those fueling the fire face dangerous conditions, including backfire and smoke inhalation, the latter of which directly affects the surrounding communities. With all these environmental impacts and health risks taken into consideration, it is apparent that a change to the current management methods of traditional Hammams is necessary. Even though the Hammam is still an essential aspect of Moroccan culture, there is rarely consideration amongst Hammam owners for resource management or the dangers this service poses to the environment. Luckily, there may be options for mitigating the detrimental effects of Hammams.
Project Overview
The goal of this project was to make recommendations to Association Ribat Al-Fath to aid in the creation of more sustainable management methods for Hammams in Morocco. The following three objectives were created to achieve this goal. First, to understand the financials, heating methods, and resource management of Hammams throughout Morocco. Second, to model and quantify the sustainability of the heating systems in Hammams. Lastly, to prepare recommendations for guiding Hammams towards more sustainable operations based on our data analysis.
Having completed extensive archival research before arriving in Morocco, the team realized the missing information could only be obtained by visiting a diverse selection of Hammams and delving into their unique situations. Through collaboration with our sponsor, the team identified six Hammams in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region and two in Casablanca with varying combinations of boiler setups, fuel sources, and management strategies for an assorted collection of data. We then conducted semi-structured interviews with the owners of each Hammam selected to collect data on current heating methods, expenses, energy usage, lighting techniques and water usage.
To quantify the benefits of a sustainable Hammam, the team compiled the raw data collected from the semi-structured interviews with Hammam owners into two detailed models. These models used the data from the Hammam owners to calculate the energy and economic efficiency of different configurations and management styles. The calculations done by these models not only provided numerical justification for the benefits of modernizing Hammams but could also be used by the Association to encourage change in the Hammam sector. The findings gathered from these comparison models and interview results were then used to produce a set of recommendations for the Association and future research.
The goal of this project was to make recommendations to Association Ribat Al-Fath to aid in the creation of more sustainable management methods for Hammams in Morocco. The following three objectives were created to achieve this goal. First, to understand the financials, heating methods, and resource management of Hammams throughout Morocco. Second, to model and quantify the sustainability of the heating systems in Hammams. Lastly, to prepare recommendations for guiding Hammams towards more sustainable operations based on our data analysis.
Having completed extensive archival research before arriving in Morocco, the team realized the missing information could only be obtained by visiting a diverse selection of Hammams and delving into their unique situations. Through collaboration with our sponsor, the team identified six Hammams in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region and two in Casablanca with varying combinations of boiler setups, fuel sources, and management strategies for an assorted collection of data. We then conducted semi-structured interviews with the owners of each Hammam selected to collect data on current heating methods, expenses, energy usage, lighting techniques and water usage.
To quantify the benefits of a sustainable Hammam, the team compiled the raw data collected from the semi-structured interviews with Hammam owners into two detailed models. These models used the data from the Hammam owners to calculate the energy and economic efficiency of different configurations and management styles. The calculations done by these models not only provided numerical justification for the benefits of modernizing Hammams but could also be used by the Association to encourage change in the Hammam sector. The findings gathered from these comparison models and interview results were then used to produce a set of recommendations for the Association and future research.
Recommendations
The following details the team’s recommendations for Association Ribat Al-Fath and Cooperative Istijmam Waraha based on the findings developed from our data analysis. The recommendations in this section include heating system upgrades, water-saving techniques, lighting improvements, and general management recommendations.
The following details the team’s recommendations for Association Ribat Al-Fath and Cooperative Istijmam Waraha based on the findings developed from our data analysis. The recommendations in this section include heating system upgrades, water-saving techniques, lighting improvements, and general management recommendations.
Use biomass fuel in place of wood: Burning wood is inefficient, produces hazardous byproducts, and drives desertification. On the contrary, biomass is an efficient, clean, and sustainable resource in Morocco.
Implement a modern boiler: Traditional furnaces are inefficient due to high amounts of ambient heat loss. Switching to a modern boiler improves the system efficiency and thereby reduces fuel expenses.
Implement a feeding system: Using a feeding system improves worker safety and system efficiency by eliminating the need to open the furnace door to fuel the fire. This reduces the amount of heat loss and the amount of fuel used.
Use proper fuel storage methods: Proper fuel storage assures that moisture and other unwanted substances do not contaminate the fuel, thereby lowering the efficiency and producing ash and smoke.
Install a water mixing system: Clients create waste trying to mix the hot and cold water to the perfect temperature. By implementing a water mixing system the water enters the Hammam at the ideal temperature eliminating the need to mix water.
Switch to automatic or metered faucets: By using automatic or metered faucets water usage can be measured and regulated minimizing wastewater.
Replace skylights with light diffusion domes: By replacing the standard flat skylights with qamariyyat lights, or dome diffusion lights, the lighting inside the Hammam will be drastically improved, as the dome geometry allows for natural light to cut through the steam of the Hammam.
Utilize solar-powered lights: Installing solar panels and attaching them to LED lights in the Hammam will reduce electricity costs. The solar panels power artificial lights when natural light is not accessible, cutting energy usage.
Implement a tracking system: Many Hammam owners are unaware of how their Hammams operate therefore, implementing a tracking system will allow them to track their financial data and utility usage to assist with future system upgrades.
Provide safety equipment for employees: Working in a boiler room poses many health risks for the employees, such as smoke inhalation and potential burns, making it important to provide them with the protection they need
Implement an educational program to train Hammam mechanics: Hammam owners have been hesitant to implement aspects of modern heating systems because of the lack of professionals to service these systems. By implementing educational programs to train professionals Hammam owners can receive the support they need to maintain their equipment while creating new jobs.
Implement an artisan certification program: An artisan certification program will make it easy for Hammam owners to find skilled and trustworthy laborers who can install the complex systems required, and then continue to innovate on the technology.
Promote environmental awareness: By informing Hammam owners of the environmental issues their businesses pose and the effects they can have in their communities they will be more likely to implement new technologies to mitigate their impact
Conclusion
Our project made recommendations to Association Ribat Al-Fath and Cooperative Istijmam Waraha that will lead to the implementation of more sustainable management methods in Hammams around Morocco. The realization of these recommendations will reduce both operating expenses and the environmental impact of Hammams. However, it is important to maintain the cultural significance of the institution, such that tradition is not buried in modernization. Not only do Hammams play an essential religious role in Islam, but they also serve as a social outlet and physical service station for many Moroccans.
While conducting our research, the team identified many potential changes that can be implemented in Hammams throughout the country to mitigate their environmental impact. The recommended upgrades may be implemented collectively or individually, depending on the current conditions of the Hammam, as each bath is unique in its setup and management methods. With the fulfillment of these recommendations, Hammam owners will not only contribute towards saving the environment but will also enjoy financial benefits. By modernizing Hammams, job availability in Morocco will increase, due to the creation of a new economic sector for Hammam equipment, and bolster pre-existing industries, such as the argan oil and olive oil industries, whose byproducts may now be sold as a fuel source.
Climate change is too large a problem for any individual, corporation, or nation to address. However, directed efforts by small groups like Association Ribat Al-Fath can work towards a greener future, and it is the sum of these changes that will have a lasting global impact.
Our project made recommendations to Association Ribat Al-Fath and Cooperative Istijmam Waraha that will lead to the implementation of more sustainable management methods in Hammams around Morocco. The realization of these recommendations will reduce both operating expenses and the environmental impact of Hammams. However, it is important to maintain the cultural significance of the institution, such that tradition is not buried in modernization. Not only do Hammams play an essential religious role in Islam, but they also serve as a social outlet and physical service station for many Moroccans.
While conducting our research, the team identified many potential changes that can be implemented in Hammams throughout the country to mitigate their environmental impact. The recommended upgrades may be implemented collectively or individually, depending on the current conditions of the Hammam, as each bath is unique in its setup and management methods. With the fulfillment of these recommendations, Hammam owners will not only contribute towards saving the environment but will also enjoy financial benefits. By modernizing Hammams, job availability in Morocco will increase, due to the creation of a new economic sector for Hammam equipment, and bolster pre-existing industries, such as the argan oil and olive oil industries, whose byproducts may now be sold as a fuel source.
Climate change is too large a problem for any individual, corporation, or nation to address. However, directed efforts by small groups like Association Ribat Al-Fath can work towards a greener future, and it is the sum of these changes that will have a lasting global impact.