Michel Ecochard was head of Morocco’s Department of Urban Planning from 1946 to 1953.  In order to replace the spreading “bidonvilles”, he developed a specific urban planning concept, a grid,  in order to construct “housing for the greatest number”, mainly migrants from rural areas. This was based on a “trame”, a courtyard house typology measuring eight by eight metres, comprising two rooms and an outdoor space. His plan for Casablanca, approved in 1952, led him into conflict with developers and provoked his resignation. This book is an account of his plans for the city and the problems he encountered.