Post-conflict reconstruction and the decline of urban vitality in Downtown Beirut

Bibliographic Data

ID21692006
AuthorsAllam Alkazei (0000-0001-9850-4618, University of Tsukuba, corresponding author), Kosuke Matsubara (0000-0003-4136-1737, University of Tsukuba)
Year2021
Volume26
Issue3
Pages267-285
Publication date2021-07-03
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Planning Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1356-3475 • E-ISSN: 1469-9265
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13563475.2020.1839388
OpenAlexW3097332870
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited20

After becoming a no-man’s land during the civil war, Downtown Beirut underwent major reconstruction efforts to return what was lost of its vibrant character. Reconstruction was specifically organized as a flagship designed to reclaim Beirut’s status within the region. However, the environment has recently stagnated, with fewer visitors making their way to the downtown area. These circumstances are amplified by local instability and other related issues. As such, this study clarified the connection between reconstruction planning and the decline of urban vitality in Downtown Beirut by focusing on its historical centre. Based on analyses of planning documents, field observations, and interview surveys, this study specifically argues that neoliberalism and affiliated planning policies were associated with the aforementioned decline. This article first chronicles the planning development process and discusses the fluctuating state of vitality, then identifies the neoliberal policies involved in reconstruction and outlines their connection to the currently stagnated environment

Archaeology · Civil engineering · Downtown · Economic growth · Economics · Political economy · Political science · Sociology · Spanish Civil War · Urban planning · Vitality · Engineering · History · Middle East Politics and Society · Urban and Rural Development Challenges · Urban Planning and Governance

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Open DOI