Beirut Central District Beirut

the beirut central district (bcd) or centre ville name given beirut s historical , geographical core solidere , vibrant financial, commercial, , administrative hub of country. area thousands of years old, traditionally focus of business, finance, culture , leisure. reconstruction constitutes 1 of ambitious contemporary urban developments. due devastation incurred on city center lebanese civil war, beirut central district underwent thorough reconstruction , development plan gave cultural , economic position in region. ever since, beirut central district has evolved integrated business , commercial environment , focus of financial activity in region. evolution accompanied relocation of international organizations, reoccupation of civic , government buildings, expansion of financial activities, , establishment of regional headquarters , global firms in city center.

roman baths park in downtown beirut.

assessment of demand build-up space in bcd has been done in reference number of macro-economic, demographic, , urban planning considerations @ time of marked need new activity poles in city, such souks, financial, cultural , recreational centers. district s total area 4,690,000 square metres (50,482,740 square feet), majority of dedicated residential space (1,924,000 square metres or 20,709,764 square feet). beirut central district contains on 60 gardens, squares , open spaces. these spaces comprise landscaped streets, gardens, historical squares, pedestrian areas , sea promenades totaling area of 96 acres (39 ha) of open spaces.

the central district lebanon s prime location shopping, entertainment, , dining. there on 100 cafes, restaurants, pubs , nightclubs open in beirut central district, , on 350 retail outlets distributed along streets , quarters. beirut souks alone home on 200 stores , handful of restaurants , cafes. beirut souks central district s old medieval market, renovated along original hellenistic street grid characterized old souks , area s historical landmarks along long vaulted shopping alleys , arcades. solidere, company responsible reconstruction , renovation of district, organizes music , entertainment events throughout year beirut marathon, fête de la musique, beirut jazz festival.

however, means of urban development in particular area of city subject criticism , controversy. rafic hariri, later become prime minister, majority stakeholder of company, raises concerns of conflict of interest in context of public-private partnership. many of expropriations have made project possible have been made @ land undervalued land rates, , partly paid in company share. strict urbanization laws put in order oblige people sell , not renovate themselves. today, solidere acts de facto municipality quarter of city privatized. example forbidden ride bikes on zeituna bay, marina many restaurants located, , these laws enforced private security guards not national or municipal police.

the project criticized destroying of city s architectural , cultural heritage. among hundreds of destroyed buildings “the last ottoman , medieval remains in beirut” wrote american university of beirut professor nabil beyhum in journal beirut review in 1992. of damage had been done through unapproved demolitions in 1980s , 1990s, bringing down “some of capital’s significant buildings , structures,” wrote ucla professor saree makdisi in journal, critical inquiry, in 1997. . moreover, many of traditional privately owned shops in beirut downtown replaced luxury outlets , high-end restaurants few people afford. , of public spaces promised solidere since start of reconstruction, such garden of forgiveness , central park, , archeological museum, remain unfinished until today, putting question actual benefit of project population.

finally, actual success of project has been in doubt, given large quarters of bcd today empty, due strong military presence, nejmeh square parliament located deserted, , business located there have moved.