Thesis Proposal Professor in Morocco Casablanca – Free Word Template Download with AI

Submitted by: Dr. Amina Ben Salem, Assistant Professor of Urban Informatics
Institution: Hassan II University of Casablanca, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques
Date: October 26, 2023

The rapid urbanization of Morocco Casablanca—the nation's economic heartland with a population exceeding 4 million—has intensified challenges in transportation infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. As a leading Professor specializing in smart city technologies at Hassan II University, I propose this research to address the critical gap between Morocco’s national digital transformation goals (e.g., Maroc 2030) and the practical implementation of AI-driven solutions for urban mobility in Casablanca. This Thesis Proposal outlines a doctoral-level study that positions me as a key academic leader in Morocco’s evolving smart city landscape, directly contributing to national priorities while advancing interdisciplinary research at the intersection of urban planning, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development.

Casablanca’s transportation network suffers from chronic congestion (averaging 30% higher than OECD cities), air pollution linked to 15% of respiratory illnesses, and inadequate public transit accessibility in peripheral neighborhoods. Current mobility solutions—often siloed and data-poor—fail to leverage Morocco’s growing tech ecosystem. While Morocco has launched initiatives like the Smart Cities National Strategy (2021), Casablanca lacks context-specific AI frameworks for real-time traffic optimization, predictive demand modeling, and equitable service distribution. As a Professor actively engaged in Morocco’s urban policy dialogues through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, I identify this research gap as urgent for both academic rigor and societal impact.

This Thesis Proposal defines three interdependent objectives:

1. Develop a Casablanca-Specific AI Mobility Framework: Create an open-source AI model integrating real-time data from Casablanca’s existing systems (e.g., traffic cameras, bus GPS, mobile apps) to optimize public transit routes and reduce average commute times by 25% in pilot zones.
2. Analyze Socio-Economic Equity Implications: Assess how AI-driven mobility affects low-income neighborhoods (e.g., Sidi Moumen), ensuring solutions do not exacerbate spatial inequalities—a critical concern for Morocco’s Green Growth Strategy.
3. Establish a Professor-Led Research Consortium: Forge partnerships with Casablanca City Council, Moroccan AI Lab, and industry partners (e.g., OCP Group) to institutionalize knowledge transfer, positioning Hassan II University as a national hub for urban AI innovation.

Existing global studies on AI-driven mobility (e.g., Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative) lack applicability to African contexts due to differing infrastructure, governance, and cultural dynamics. In Morocco, research remains focused on high-level policy (e.g., Study by the National Institute of Statistics, 2022) rather than deployable technical solutions. This project bridges this gap through a contextualized AI framework, drawing from: (a) Dr. Ben Salem’s prior work on IoT in Moroccan urban systems (published in Journal of African Urban Studies, 2021), and (b) the UNESCO AI for Sustainable Development Framework. Crucially, it redefines "urban mobility" through Morocco’s lens—where informal transport (e.g., taxi-brousse) constitutes 40% of daily commutes—making this research uniquely relevant to Casablanca’s reality.

This interdisciplinary study employs a mixed-methods approach over 36 months:

• Data Collection: Partner with Casablanca Transport Authority to access anonymized GPS, fare, and traffic sensor data (2019–2023) alongside household surveys in 5 districts.
• AI Model Development: Use reinforcement learning (Python/TensorFlow) to simulate traffic flow under varying conditions; validate via micro-simulations using SUMO software.
• Impact Assessment: Apply spatial equity metrics (e.g., accessibility index) and conduct participatory workshops with community leaders in low-income areas.

The methodology ensures academic rigor while prioritizing Morocco Casablanca’s socio-technical realities—a key differentiator from Western-centric studies. As a Professor supervising 4 master’s students, I will embed this research into graduate training, creating a pipeline of local AI talent aligned with national needs.

This Thesis Proposal promises transformative outcomes:

• Policy Impact: Draft of an AI Mobility Policy Template for Casablanca City Council, directly informing Morocco’s 2030 urban development roadmap.
• Academic Contribution: 3+ peer-reviewed papers (target: Transportation Research Part C, Sustainable Cities and Society) with open datasets for global researchers studying Global South cities.
• Economic Value: Projected cost savings of MAD 180M annually from reduced congestion, per Morocco’s National Transport Agency estimates.
• Professor-Led Capacity Building: Launch of "AI for Moroccan Cities" workshop series at Hassan II University, training 150+ local engineers and municipal staff by Year 3.

(Phased over 36 months)

Phase	Months	Key Activities
Data Acquisition & Baseline Analysis	1–12	Gather municipal data; conduct equity audit of current transit access.
AI Model Prototyping & Validation	13–24	Build and test model in 2 Casablanca districts (e.g., Hay Mohammadi, Ain Chock).
Pilot Deployment & Policy Integration	25–36	Workshop with Casablanca City Council; finalize policy brief; disseminate findings nationally.

This Thesis Proposal transcends traditional academic research—it is a strategic initiative to harness the Professor’s leadership role in Morocco’s knowledge economy. By anchoring AI innovation in Casablanca’s lived realities, not imported models, this project positions Hassan II University as the epicenter of applied urban technology in Africa. Critically, it directly serves Morocco’s vision of becoming a "digital leader" by 2030 while addressing the most pressing daily challenges faced by citizens of Casablanca. As a Professor committed to Morocco’s sustainable development, I pledge to ensure every output—from datasets to policy tools—is freely accessible to local stakeholders, fostering an ecosystem where academic rigor fuels tangible urban progress.

Keywords: Thesis Proposal; Professor; AI Integration; Sustainable Mobility; Morocco Casablanca; Urban Innovation

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