Architecture and Urbanism in Beirut

Abstract

The historie center of Beirut was subjected after the war to a complete renovation under the aegis of a real-estate company, named Solidere. This model had sorne positive aspects, such as the preservation of certain parts of the historie core and the implementation of comprehensive urban design guidelines, but also carried within it the seeds of discontent, by treating the city as a prívate interest. The difficulty of evaluating any projects in the new city center stems from this binding relationship that each project holds, by definition, to the overall master plan, which remains problematic at the social and political levels.