Urban regeneration and development project for Lake Nord in Tunis (Tunisia)

Circular and resilient water management in urban areas

August 2025

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability

Lake North of Tunis, a 3,800-hectare coastal lagoon, was once a degraded ecosystem, suffering from pollution, erosion of its banks and a lack of sustainable management. Located in a metropolitan area with a population of over 2 million, this lake posed a major challenge to water resilience and urban development in the Tunisian capital. Industrial and domestic pollution, combined with uncontrolled urbanisation, had turned the area into a hotbed of environmental problems, with negative impacts on public health and biodiversity.

The North Lake rehabilitation project has transformed this lagoon into a hub for sustainable urban development, combining ecological restoration, water management and economic appeal. Carried out through a public-private partnership (PPP), this project demonstrates how the regeneration of an ecosystem can serve as a catalyst for local development. The aim was to restore water quality, create public spaces and boost the local economy, whilst improving the region’s climate resilience.

Solutions implemented

• Ecological restoration : Restoration of riverbanks, water treatment and creation of wetlands to improve water quality and promote biodiversity.

• Public-private partnership (PPP) : Funding and management shared between public authorities (Tunis City Council) and private investors (property developers, local businesses).

• Integrated urban development : Creation of public spaces, housing, tourist infrastructure and commercial areas around the lake, thereby transforming the area into an economic and social hub.

• Sustainable water management : Reuse of treated water for the irrigation of green spaces and other non-potable uses, thereby reducing pressure on freshwater resources.

Key results

• Restoration of 36,000 m³ of groundwater storage capacity, thereby improving the region’s water security.

• Creation of an economic hub : The project has attracted investment in property and tourism, thereby stimulating local economic development.

• Improvement in biodiversity : The restoration of wetlands and riverbanks has enabled the return of aquatic and avian species, contributing to the restoration of local ecosystems.

• Successful PPP model : The project has demonstrated the feasibility of public-private partnerships for ecological rehabilitation, inspiring other initiatives in North Africa and internationally.

First phase : 1984–1988 – Clean-up of the lake & restoration of the riverbanks

Climate and environmental impacts

• Climate change mitigation :

  - The restoration of ecosystems (wetlands, riverbanks) helps to sequester carbon, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions.

  - The reuse of treated water reduces the demand for fresh water, thereby lowering the energy consumption associated with pumping and transporting water.

• Climate adaptation and resilience :

  - Flood management : Restored wetlands act as natural buffers, absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall and thereby reducing the risk of flooding.

  - Improved water quality : Water treatment and the creation of wetlands improve water quality, thereby protecting aquatic ecosystems and public health.

• Biodiversity : The restoration of riverbanks and wetlands has enabled the return of local species, contributing to the restoration of biodiversity in a previously degraded area.

Success factors

• Values :

  - Recognition of the ecological and economic value of restored ecosystems.

  - Integration of sustainability as a pillar of urban development.

• Connections :

  - Physical connections : Ecological infrastructure (wetlands, riverbanks) is integrated into the urban fabric, creating a coherent network for water management and biodiversity.

  - Social connections : Collaboration between the public sector, the private sector and civil society to design an inclusive and sustainable project.

• Investments :

  - Blended finance : The project received funding from both the public sector (the Tunisian government and the local council) and the private sector (property investors and local businesses).

  - Sustainable economic model : Economic returns (property investments, tourism) have helped to finance the long-term management of the project.

Sources

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