Look to local solutions – Marrakech

Picture 1: store in Marrakech

Around three days ago, walking through the streets of the Medina (old city) in Marrakech (Morocco), we found these interesting artifacts designed and sold locally. One of the remarkable things about these objects, is that they are meant to be sold within the community (so it is a business which profit stays in the community itself).

The products are competitive enough (in price and functionality) compared to other plastic containers sold in local markets. We might consider this not only as a design that is born from a first hand observation of a particular local opportunity, but also of a principle of using a costless material (which’s durability, availability and impermiability) to redefine a second type of product. We might want to benefit from local knowledge before intending to bring soltutions being an outsider.

Hints from this post

01. Local design/ Local opportunity: Observe what local communities do, they might have THE RIGHT answers

02. Observe local markets’ behavior
03.Do not confuse re-use (this case) and recycle