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número 6 - junio - 2018. Pág 37 - 59

High-speed rail in developing countries and potential inequalities

of use: the case of Morocco

Delaplace, Marie

Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée-Lab’Urba-EUP
1

Abstract
The 21st century is characterized by the extension of the high‐speed rail network
in developing or emerging countries. While lines are already in operation in China
and Turkey, others are under construction in Morocco and Iran, and projects
exist in numerous other countries (Brazil, Malaysia, Egypt, etc.) in very different
socio‐economic contexts and characterized by significant inequalities. What
are the effects of high‐speed lines in these countries? By improving territories’
accessibility, high‐speed lines can foster population mobility and exchanges within
a given country or between two or more countries in the case of international
lines. But, especially in developing countries, one key issue is knowing for whom
and for what use they are built. The aim of this article is to show that the
creation of a high‐speed line could reinforce the existing inequalities that are
widespread in this type of country because the uses of such a line are spatially,
economically and socially quite different. Our analysis will be illustrated by the
case of Morocco.

Keywords: High‐speed rail, inequalities, developing countries, Morocco

1 Delaplace, Marie. Université Paris‐Est Marne‐la‐Vallée‐Lab’Urba‐EUP marie.delaplace@u‐pem.fr

International Congress on High-speed Rail: Technologies and Long Term Impacts - Ciudad Real (Spain) - 25th anniversary Madrid-Sevilla corridor 37