Proposed Soukra Rezoning Could Redraw Tunis Suburb’s Future

The scenic suburb of La Soukra could soon look very different if a sweeping rezoning proposal currently before city officials is approved. The draft plan—unveiled by the Municipal Council of La Soukra at a meeting on July 3—would reclassify several hectares of low-rise residential land along Avenue Faten Hamama and Rue d’Andalous as suitable for mixed-use and high-density housing.

Why Now? Pressure Mounts for New Housing Options

This move lands at a time when Tunis is grappling with a widening housing affordability gap and surging urban migration. La Soukra, traditionally known for spacious villas and leafy compounds, has become a magnet for both young professionals and developers eyeing proximity to Les Berges du Lac business district. The city’s population hit 2.8 million last year according to the National Institute of Statistics, putting intense pressure on suburban supply. Local realtors point to the ongoing delays at the Zayatine residential expansion as further evidence of why unlocking more land now looms as a priority for planners.

The affected corridor runs from Avenue Khaled Ibn El Walid east to the Carrefour Market strip and south towards Place du 14-Janvier. The proposal—seen by The Daily Tunis—would allow for apartment blocks up to five storeys, as well as ground-floor commercial space, on what is currently zoned strictly for detached family homes. "We see a clear need for densification, but it must come with infrastructure upgrades," said a senior urban planner at Agence Urbaine du Grand Tunis. No official was authorised to speak publicly ahead of next week’s public consultation.

Data and Dollars: Rising Prices, Surging Demand

La Soukra’s median sale price per square metre has climbed to 4,600 dinars (about $1,470), a 9.2% increase since 2024, according to the Tunisian Real Estate Federation. Rentals in nearby communities such as El Aouina have jumped by 12% in the last twelve months, reports the Souk Immobilien market tracker. Real estate developer Baha Prom is already marketing off-plan apartments at nearly 5,000 dinars/m2 on sites adjacent to the proposed rezoned area. The supply crunch is keenly felt: fewer than 60 new residential units have been approved in Soukra municipality since January 2025, despite thousands of new inhabitants projected over the next decade.

The city plans to hold a town hall meeting on July 11 at the Espace Culturel Le 3e Lieu, inviting submissions from the public and local business groups. If the rezoning is passed, developers could file for building permits as early as October, with the first large-scale projects possibly breaking ground in early 2027. Residents of Rue d’Andalous and Rue de Carthage are advised to review the full draft plan—available for download on the Municipality of La Soukra’s website—and to register comments before the July 15 deadline. The final decision is set for late August, after which the face of this well-heeled suburb could change fast—making now the moment for both buyers and homeowners to weigh their options.