As a gateway between Europe and the Middle East and Northern Africa, Morocco has historically played a dynamic role in international and regional movements. More recently, one of the country’s main ports, Tetouan, became one of the region’s first metropolitan areas to employ a City Development Strategy (CDS). In 2003 a royally backed decentralisation initiative increased Moroccan cities’ administrative and financial responsibilities while reuniting many previously divided municipalities. This set the stage for local authorities to cooperate and systematically develop a plan for Tetouan. The greater metropolitan area’s economy is centered on tourism and commerce, but many have been left behind: A fifth of its roughly one million residents live in informal settlements, and nearly half of these households lack electricity, potable water and other basic services.