Reimagining Remembrance: Climate-Resilient Design at Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia

At Joe Perkins Design, we are currently working on a project in partnership with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC): the transformation of Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia. This historic site, where over 2,900 Commonwealth servicemen are buried, will become a model for climate-resilient, biodiverse, and sustainable landscape design, honouring both memory and place.

A Site of History and Reflection

Set in Tunisia’s fertile Medjerda Valley, around 60km west of Tunis, Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery is a place of deep historical importance. Designed by architect Sir J. Hubert Worthington, it commemorates those who fought and died in the North African Campaign during the Second World War. With its formal layout, structured lawns, and tree-lined avenues, the cemetery reflects a long-established design language of dignity and order.

Today, the site faces a different kind of challenge: the realities of climate change. Increasing drought, water scarcity, and changing ecological conditions call for a new approach, one that ensures the site remains sustainable without losing its character.

Honouring the Past, Looking to the Future

The CWGC’s Pioneer Sites initiative, with Medjez-El-Bab as the first, aims to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the symbolism and integrity of these significant landscapes. The goal is to develop resilient, regionally appropriate designs that reflect both local ecosystems and the historic role of these cemeteries.

From Lawn to Landscape

Historically, large areas of irrigated lawn have been central to CWGC cemeteries. At Medjez-El-Bab, these lawns, while visually striking, require substantial water use. Over 75% of the turf is planned to be replaced with drought-tolerant planting, using native and resilient species that echo the surrounding landscape.

The central axis and principal cross avenues will retain irrigated turf to maintain the clarity and structure that define CWGC’s visual identity. Beyond these, the site will shift toward a more varied landscape, including gravel gardens, orchard-style planting, and textured native understorey.

Designing for Resilience and Biodiversity

The proposed design will balance formality with ecological value. Gravel pathways will replace high-maintenance grass between headstones, and will be softened with planting such as low grasses, succulents, thyme, and lavender which area selected for their muted colours, delicate textures, and suitability to the local climate. These choices are intended to reduce water use and maintenance while enhancing biodiversity and the visitor experience.

Trees of Peace

Olive and almond trees area symbols of peace and regional identity, and will be introduced in clusters across the cemetery. Underplanted with native grasses and perennials, these trees will provide shade, seasonal colour, and a stronger visual connection to the surrounding farmland.

They will also contribute to:

• Supporting pollinators

• Providing shelter for wildlife

• Capturing carbon

• Reducing soil erosion

Planting for Wildlife and Climate

The planting strategy will support local biodiversity while reducing resource inputs. Carefully selected species include:

• Melica ciliata – A native grass that creates habitats for beneficial insects like the seven-spot ladybird

• Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) – Associated with remembrance; supports pollinators and small wildlife

• Prunus dulcis (Almond) – Early-flowering, providing important nectar for pollinators

• Eryngium maritimum – Prickly foliage helps resist herbivory and stabilises soil

• Sedum spurium 'Tricolor' – Seed heads provide food for birds like the Trumpeter Finch

• Dymondia margaretae – Dense groundcover that conserves moisture and suppresses weeds

These species will contribute to a healthier, more self-sustaining landscape, minimising the need for irrigation, fertilisers, or pesticides.

A Landscape Connected to Place

The design is informed by the natural character of the Tunisian landscape, particularly the resilient plant communities found near Thuburbo Majus, a nearby Roman site. Wild grasses, olive trees, and other drought-adapted flora have long thrived here with minimal intervention. By drawing on these systems, the cemetery will become more aligned with its environment, both visually and ecologically.

Enhancing the Visitor Journey

The redesigned site will invite visitors to engage with the cemetery not just as a place of mourning, but as a space for quiet reflection. Seating areas will be introduced among the groves, while previously underused tree-shaded corridors will be planted with aromatic species like creeping rosemary, thyme, santolina, and lavender. These additions will create a more sensory experience without placing additional demands on the land.

A Sustainable Legacy

As the first CWGC Pioneer Site, Medjez-El-Bab will demonstrate that remembrance and sustainability are not at odds. This project will honour the sacrifice of those buried there while reflecting our responsibility to manage landscapes in a way that supports long-term resilience.

It also echoes the perspective of Sir J. Hubert Worthington, who once warned against the use of excessive water in cemetery gardens in arid regions, seeing it as out of step with local needs. His view, expressed nearly 80 years ago, is even more relevant today.

Final Thoughts

At Joe Perkins Design, we see landscapes as living systems that can carry stories-not just from the past, but into the future. At Medjez-El-Bab, we aim to tell a story of remembrance through resilience: through trees that thrive without irrigation, through plants that support wildlife, and through spaces designed for both reflection and sustainability.

This is more than a redesign. It’s a long-term investment in memory, ecology, and place, and we’re proud to be involved.