CWGC Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery: Sustainability for the Future

Commonwealth War Graves is implementing a total Landscape redesign project for the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the country.

The cemetery, which spans 19,000 square meters and contains 2,903 graves, is being reimagined to honour its historical significance while addressing environmental challenges such as water scarcity and climate stress. 

The project is part of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's ongoing efforts to create sustainable, climate-resilient landscapes while maintaining the dignity and purpose of war cemeteries. The redesign will reduce irrigated turf by 75%, increase biodiversity, and integrate the cemetery into its surrounding landscape. 

The new design will form the transition from traditional high-maintenance lawns to sustainable, drought-tolerant plantings that reflect the local ecology and enhance biodiversity. Key elements of the proposal include: 

• Entrance Area: Gravelled space with low, drought-tolerant planting to preserve open views and reduce maintenance.
• Central Avenue and Cross Axes: Retain irrigated turf for symbolic clarity and order. 
  Grass Margins and Pathways: Transition to native, un-irrigated vegetation that will bloom in spring and remain dormant in summer.
• Burial Plots: Replace lawns with gravel gardens, low planting, and taller grasses to soften the geometry while maintaining legibility.
• Olive Groves: Introduce orchard-style planting underplanted with native species to enhance biodiversity and provide areas for reflection.
• Meandering Paths: Enhance shaded corridors with drought-tolerant groundcovers and herbaceous plants for a textured, fragrant understorey. 

The design draws inspiration from the surrounding Medjerda Valley and nearby Thuburbo Majus, incorporating native and resilient species such as olive trees, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and grasses. These plants are chosen for their ecological benefits, including soil stabilisation, pest deterrence, pollinator support, and carbon sequestration. 

The design aims to continue to provide reflection on the historical significance of the site, which commemorates soldiers who fought in the North African Campaign during World War II, preserving the sanctity and memory of the cemetery, while emphasising the importance that CWGC landscapes must adapt to the environmental realities to remain sustainable. 

Commonwealth War Graves is working with landscape architect Joe Perkins to implement this landscape redesign project for the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the country.