Sustainable Beirut City Planning Post August 2020 Port of Beirut Blast: Case Study of Karantina in Medawar District

sustainability

Article Sustainable Beirut City Planning Post August 2020 Port of Beirut Blast: Case Study of Karantina in Medawar District

David Aouad 1,* and Noushig Kaloustian 2

1 Department of Architecture and Design, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102, Lebanon 2 Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102, Lebanon; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +961-3-721794 or +961-70-126329

Abstract: The 4 August 2020 Port of Beirut blast caused material damage to an estimated 77,000 apartments located across 10,000 buildings within a 3 km radius of the blast, impacting around 300,000, people predominantly in the municipality of Karantina, which is situated adjacent to the Port of Beirut. The blast shed light on the instability and unsustainable development approach of the city of Beirut since well before the French mandate circa 1921–1940. The impact of the blast provides an opportunity to reassess the relationship between many relevant aspects of the city planning including but not limited to: the relationship of the city to its suburbs, waterfront, and city center; the lack of local planning and cross sectorial master plans; the preservation of the heritage versus the complexity of its urban development; the city growth and increased haphazard urbanization; the infrastructure/service systems that have over the years become increasingly deficient; the lack of public spaces; impacts on urban climate; and the urban divide and inequality that have only grown deeper since the blast, all of which have a combined and adverse impact on the quality of city life. This paper analyzes the most suitable indicators that one must highlight within the context of Beirut city to propose a better and sustainable quality of life with a focus on areas that were significantly Citation: Aouad, D.; Kaloustian, N. impacted by the recent POB blast, namely Karantina. Examples of indicators which were analyzed Sustainable Beirut City Planning Post include sustainable urban design, open spaces, heritage, infrastructure, and urban fabric. The results August 2020 Port of Beirut Blast: Case indicated that the following four main urban design features help improve the quality of life in Study of Karantina in Medawar Karantina, including: (i) connecting areas of Karantina and Mar Mkhael through the reactivation District. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116442 of vacant lots; (ii) reactivation of Ibrahim Bacha and El-Khodr Streets; (iii) redefining the historical El Khodr Mosque boundary and reclaiming its role as an urban landmark; and (iv) integration of

Academic Editors: Agnieszka Bieda classiﬁed built heritage. These parameters are necessary to improve the quality of life. The beneﬁts and Agnieszka Telega of community participation are also assessed in the improvement and sustainable planning of the city of Beirut. Received: 7 May 2021 Accepted: 26 May 2021 Keywords: Beirut; sustainable urban design; Karantina; port of Beirut blast; stakeholder participation Published: 5 June 2021

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in 1. Introduction published maps and institutional affil- The rapid rate of urbanization as a result of changing social, political, economic, and iations. environmental factors has created new opportunities, along with a set of critical challenges in the development and sustainability of the city of Beirut. Rising levels of urban poverty and inequality, unemployment, and a critical shortage of affordable housing have led to the rapid growth of informal settlements, leaving Beirut with inadequate capacity to provide Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. basic services. The institutional capacity necessary to oversee the transition to sustainable Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. urbanization is also deemed lacking. This article is an open access article These combined factors have led to the rapid influx of settlements into Karantina, distributed under the terms and the subject of this paper, resulting in its haphazard urbanization and lack of the essential conditions of the Creative Commons sustainable elements that allow for a final strategic development plan for the city that Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// will integrate various priority projects and actions to improve and sustain a better quality creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ of life for inhabitants according to their needs and preferences where local stakeholders’ 4.0/).

Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116442 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 16

Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442 2 of 16

integrate various priority projects and actions to improve and sustain a better quality of life for inhabitants according to their needs and preferences where local stakeholders’ opinion regarding the relative weight of categories is of utmost importance [1]. The recent opinion regarding the relative weight of categories is of utmost importance [1]. The recent devastating Port of Beirut (POB) blast of August 2020 has further highlighted the many devastating Port of Beirut (POB) blast of August 2020 has further highlighted the many factors that play a deteriorating role in the unsustainable state we ﬁnd Karantina in today. factors that play a deteriorating role in the unsustainable state we find Karantina in today. The Figure1 below shows the extent of damages following the blast. The Figure 1 below shows the extent of damages following the blast.

FigureFigure 1. 1.Extent Extent of of damages damages in in Karantina Karantina following following the th blaste blast [2] [2] Credit: Credit: Rebecca Rebecca El BadawiEl Badawi (student— (student—Lebanese American University). Lebanese American University). SustainabilitySustainability2021 2021,13 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 16 , , 6442 3 of 16

Lebanon has been facing multiple crises over the past years including the economic Lebanon has been facing multiple crises over the past years including the economic crisis which has been fast deteriorating since the eventful October 2019 revolution, the crisis which has been fast deteriorating since the eventful October 2019 revolution, the globalglobal COVID19COVID19 pandemic, pandemic, and and the the more more recent recent August August 2020 2020 Port Port of Beirut of Beirut (POB) (POB) blast. blast. The latterThe latter was thewas final the final blow blow to the to alreadythe already crumbling crumbling state state which which left manyleft many people people destitute, desti- homeless,tute, homeless, and ever andmore ever vulnerable.more vulnerable. According According to the Beirutto the RapidBeirut andRapid Damage and Damage Needs AssessmentNeeds Assessment [3], the POB[3], the resulted POB resulted in approximately in approximately US$ 3.8–4.6 US$ billion 3.8–4.6 in physicalbillion in damages. physical Thisdamages. paper This aims paper to study aims the to effectsstudy ofthe the effect haphazards of the haphazard urbanization urbanization of the Karantina of the area,Kar- whichantina wasarea, hardest which hitwas by hardest the POB, hit toby assess the POB, those to indicatorsassess those that indicators play the that most play critical the rolemost in critical the development role in the ofdevelopment a sustainable of citya sustainable while improving city while the improving overall quality the overall of life, aquality general of well-being life, a general which well-being comprises which objective comprises descriptors objective and descriptors subjective evaluationsand subjective of physical,evaluations material, of physical, social, material, and emotional social, well-beingand emotional [4], ofwell-being its urban [4], dwellers of its urban while dwell- using theers recentwhile using devastation the recent as an devastation opportunity as toan adopt opportunity these changes. to adopt One these such changes. example One can such be seenexample in the can case be ofseen Gleisdreieck in the case park of Gleisdre where wasteieck park land where was transformed waste land was into transformed recreational greeninto recreational spaces and green corridors spaces between and corridor 2001 ands between 2011 and 2001 this createdand 2011 acontinuous and this created system a ofcontinuous paths throughout system of thepaths city throughout resulting inthe overall city resulting improvement in overall in improvement social and emotional in social well-beingand emotional [5]. well-being [5]. LocatedLocated onon thethe edgeedge ofof thethe port, isolatedisolated fromfrom MarMar MikhaelMikhael areaarea byby thethe CharlesCharles HelouHelou HighwayHighway builtbuilt in in 1958, 1958, and and bounded bounded from from the the East Ea byst theby the Beirut Beirut river, river, Figure Figure2, Karantina’s 2, Karan- urbantina’s urban role changed role changed throughout throughout its history. its hi Thestory. neighborhood, The neighborhood which, iswhich situated is situated within administrativewithin administrative Beirut area,Beirut is area, named is named after its after original its original purpose purpose as an Ottomanas an Ottoman quarantine quar- facility,antine facility, built in built the 1830s. in the In1830s. the earlyIn the 1900s early it 1900s became it became a work a destination work destination for rural-urban for rural- migrantsurban migrants and workers and workers from nearbyfrom nearby countries. countries. It was It alsowas also a destination a destination for Armenians,for Armeni- Kurds,ans, Kurds, and Palestiniansand Palestinians seeking seeking refuge refuge after after the Armenian the Armenian Genocide Genocide of 1915, of 1915, World World War I,War and I, theand 1948 the Nakba1948 Nakba [6]. Over [6]. Over time, time, Karantina Karantina grew grew into ainto working-class a working-class neighborhood neighbor- providinghood providing labor to labor the localto the trade, local weaving,trade, weaving, and handicrafts and handicrafts industries industries in the 1960s. in the During 1960s. theDuring Lebanon the Lebanon civil war civil (1975–1991), war (1975–1991), the area the was area a site was of confrontationa site of confrontation between fightingbetween factions.fighting Sincefactions. 2011, Since the area2011, has the become area has home become to migrant home workersto migrant and workers a Syrian and community a Syrian thatcommunity fled the war.that Karantina,fled the war. which Karantina, is adjacent whic to theh is Port adjacent of Beirut, to the was Port amongst of Beirut, the areas was hardestamongst hit the by areas the blast hardest of August hit by 2020,the blast Figure of 3Au, Tablegust1 .2020, All data Figure included 3, Table in Table1. All1 data were in- basedcluded on in surveysTable 1 were conducted based byon thesurveys Order conducted of Engineers by the and Order Architects of Engineers [7] and and respective Archi- figurestects [7] were and redrawnrespective and figures recalculated were redrawn accordingly. and recalculated accordingly.

FigureFigure 2.2. UrbanUrban contextcontext andand locationlocation planplan ofof Karantina/Medawar.Karantina/Medawar. SustainabilitySustainability 20212021,, 1313,, 6442x FOR PEER REVIEW 44 of 1616

Figure 3. Post-blast building damages in Medawar district.

Table 1. Damaged buildings in Medawar [7]. Table 1. Damaged buildings in Medawar [7]. Damage Level No. % Damage Level No. % Minor 69 8 ModerateMinor 6975 8.73 8 ModerateMajor 629 75 8.73 73.2 SevereMajor 6294 73.2 0.46 Severe 4 0.46 Unknown 1 82 9.5 Unknown 1 82 9.5 1 Not surveyed. 1 Not surveyed. Karantina is the oldest and largest squatter settlement in Beirut, and occupies a large part Karantinaof the Medawar is the oldestlocality. and It largestis a transit squatter town, settlement occupying in Beirut,inner-ci andty land occupies of high a large and partrising of commercial the Medawar value. locality. The land It is previously a transit town, belonged occupying to a cement inner-city factory land which of high moved and risingto the commercialnorth of the value. country, The and land which previously was later belonged sold to to private a cement individuals factory which and movedinstitu- totions. the The north settlement of the country, started and by whichan emigration was later of sold people to private from Turkey, individuals Syria, and Palestine, institutions. and Thethe rural settlement areas of started Lebanon. by an Between emigration 1932 ofand people 1947 there from Turkey,was a progressive Syria, Palestine, increase and in thethe ruralnumber areas of ofimmigrants Lebanon. and Between between 1932 1952 and and 1947 1962 there there was was a progressive a constant increaseflow of inimmi- the numbergrants from of immigrants the South andof Lebanon between due 1952 to and unst 1962able there political was aconditions. constant ﬂow The of choice immigrants of set- from the South of Lebanon due to unstable political conditions. The choice of settling tling in Karantina is in view of different factors and namely due to: proximity to work- in Karantina is in view of different factors and namely due to: proximity to workplaces, places, availability of public schools, efficient public transportation, the presence of the availability of public schools, efﬁcient public transportation, the presence of the main main industrial area of Beirut, and the Port of Beirut [6]. That being said, the Port of Beirut industrial area of Beirut, and the Port of Beirut [6]. That being said, the Port of Beirut zone zone creates a high sense of insecurity due to the strong presence of military and fencing creates a high sense of insecurity due to the strong presence of military and fencing that that prevailed even before the blast. Karantina is also considered a poor area. Its poverty prevailed even before the blast. Karantina is also considered a poor area. Its poverty status status is historically closely intertwined with its history as a quarter in which sea travelers is historically closely intertwined with its history as a quarter in which sea travelers were were quarantined to curb the spread of diseases including cholera and tuberculosis during quarantined to curb the spread of diseases including cholera and tuberculosis during the the 1800s. Presently, the neighborhood is still one of Lebanon’s poorest and is predomi- 1800s. Presently, the neighborhood is still one of Lebanon’s poorest and is predominantly nantly home to working-class Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian refugees, among other home to working-class Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian refugees, among other migrant migrant workers and displaced groups [8]. workers and displaced groups [8]. This paper shows the importanceimportance of implementing sustainablesustainable urban planning practices in thethe designdesign ofof aa citycity thatthat hashas beenbeen devastateddevastated asas aa resultresult ofof numerousnumerous naturalnatural asas well as man-made factors.factors. The more recent POB blast offers anan opportunityopportunity toto adoptadopt thesethese sustainable interventions in an inclusiveinclusive mannermanner takingtaking intointo considerationconsideration thethe feedbackfeedback and participation of citizens andand allall otherother stakeholders.stakeholders.

2. Materials and Methods Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442 5 of 16

2. Materials and Methods This section will describe the methodology which will be adopted to assess and analyze selected parameters that aim to improve the sustainable development of the city with focus on the Karantina case study area which was recently devastated by the POB blast. The parameters which will be considered include urban fabric, open spaces, heritage, infrastructure, and vacant lots with an emphasis on the impact of participation of key stakeholders, including NGOs and CSOs, for a participatory approach to ensuring an improved quality of life. The latter will be assessed further in the discussion section of this paper. The typo-morphology of the urban fabric of Karantina is unique and stems from its historical background described above. The urban elements that are intricate parts of the city are, through the recognition of existing urban forms, supplemented by existing or desired functions in the adjacent neighborhoods. The morphological studies are predominantly scrutinized under the analysis of the building/plot or lot, street/city block, and city and region. The study of the typo-morphology of the urban fabric of Karantina is used in this paper as part of the methodology to introduce new sustainable urban planning tools within the context of Beirut city planning. This paper therefore assesses the urban fabric of Karantina based on the following parameters: 1. A high number of vacant parcels. 2. Mixed fabrics with a predominantly large-scale industrial environment and footprint. 3. Unorganized, small-scale, semi-detached individual residential fabric, residual of the Armenian camps of 1936 and other settlements. 4. Severely damaged buildings. 5. A numerous number of parcels and lots are classified as heritage. 6. Predominantly poor social classes. 7. Isolated from its surrounding neighborhoods. 8. Undefined character/identity. To carry out this work, the analysis of the characteristics of the urban fabric will mainly rely on the use of available data in Karantina, namely the background cadastral and aerial views from search engines, as well as on the field visits and research. The available data presented in Tables2–5 below were compiled using ArcGIS based on base maps prepared by the Lebanese Army, the Lebanese Red Cross, the Order of Engineers and Architects of Beirut, and the Beirut Urban Lab which was also responsible for the preparation of the Beirut Built Environment Database. Although within the Karantina area there are many vacant parcels, small parks, and the presence of the old Mar Mikhael train station which has not been operational since the early 1900s, its relationship to public space is unclear. There is a high number of unbuilt vacant lots in Medawar (36% of the total parcels area) which are present within the urban fabric, Figure4, Table2. Non-constructible parcels (3.16% of the total parcels area) are small area parcels (less than 200 sqm) and create certain gaps in the urban fabric. They are often derelict spaces, private or public, used mostly as parking lots and generator platforms [9] but which can be put to better use and particularly in the form of green spaces.

Table 2. Vacant land and non-constructible parcels in Medawar adopted from Beirut Built Environ- ment Database.

Type No. Sqm 1 Vacant land 274 155,137 Non-Constructible parcels 265 18,170 1 Total area of the parcels. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442 6 of 16

Table 3. Land use in Medawar adopted from Order of Engineers and Architects Beirut.

Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 1 6 of 16 Type No. % Residential 390 45.4 Civic 3 - CommercialCivic 843 9.7 - CommercialHospital 84 1 9.7 - Industrial 151 17.34 Hospital 1 - Ofﬁces 60 6.98 Industrial 151 17.34 School 1 - MixedOffices use 6360 6.98 7 School 1 - 1 Percentage is calculated for the numbers of buildings and not the areas. Mixed use 63 7 1 Percentage is calculated for the numbers of buildings and not the areas. Table 4. Heritage buildings in Medawar adopted from Order of Engineers and Architects Beirut. Table 4. Heritage buildings in Medawar adopted from Order of Engineers and Architects Beirut. Type No. % 1 HeritageType 223No. 26% 1 NotHeritage Heritage 636223 74 26 1 From totalNot number Heritage of the buildings. 636 74 1 From total number of the buildings. Table 5. Poverty by residential sectors in Medawar [7]. Table 5. Poverty by residential sectors in Medawar [7]. Status 1 Karantina Mar Mikhael Status 1 Karantina Mar Mikhael AllAll poorpoor X X HalfHalf Poor/HalfPoor/Half not poor X X MajorityMajority poorpoor X X X X Minority poor Minority poor 1 1 UNUNHabitat Habitat classiﬁcation classification after after the blast.the blast.

FigureFigure 4.4. VacantVacant landland andand non-constructiblenon-constructible parcelsparcels inin Medawar.Medawar.

TheThe parcels’parcels’ sizes sizes vary vary from from 21 21 sqm sqm to 14,600to 14,600 sqm sqm for anfor averagean average parcel parcel size ofsize567 of sqm 567 andsqm aand total a areatotal ofarea 155,134 of 155,134 sqm. sqm. Thetotal The areatotal ofarea parcels of parcels in Medawar in Medawar is 807,765 is 807,765 sqm. sqm. TheThe parcels in Karantina differ differ in in size size and and shape shape Figure Figure 5;5 ;on on its its western western and and eastern east- ernedges edges there there are small are small scale scaleparcels parcels that are that used are to used host toimmigration host immigration camps and camps housing and housingfor labor, for while labor, the while core of the the core area of is the occupi areaed is occupiedby large scale by large parcels scale that parcels host industrial that host industrialfacilities. facilities. On Charles Helou Highway, we find a series of high buildings, mostly recent office spaces, the Beirut fire station, and a series of small buildings on its western edge, residues of the old dense St. Michel camp. Inside the area, what used to be a dense Armenian camp back in 1936 has now given way to large scale industrial facilities (Figures 6 and 7). The Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 16

Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442 7 of 16 Mar Mikhael train station is occupied by few historical buildings and two large scale hangars. The area has become a graveyard for old buses and train skeletons.

Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 16

Mar Mikhael train station is occupied by few historical buildings and two large scale hangars. The area has become a graveyard for old buses and train skeletons.

Figure 5. Parcels sizes and shapes in Medawar.

On Charles Helou Highway, we find a series of high buildings, mostly recent office spaces, the Beirut fire station, and a series of small buildings on its western edge, residues of the old dense St. Michel camp. Inside the area, what used to be a dense Armenian camp back in 1936 has now given way to large scale industrial facilities (Figures6 and7). The Mar Mikhael train station is occupied by few historical buildings and two large scale hangars.Figure 5. Parcels The area sizes has and become shapes ain graveyard Medawar. for old buses and train skeletons.

Figure 6. Land use in Karantina/Medawar.

FigureFigure 6.6. LandLand useuse inin Karantina/Medawar.Karantina/Medawar.

Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442 8 of 16

Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 16 El-Maslakh. The area consists of four blocks that are currently isolated within a larger area with industries and unused plots.

Figure 7. Land use in Medawar.

The residential buildings, although higher in numbers, consist of only 8.5% of the total building footprint of the area with an average footprint of 174 sqm. After the blast, UN Habitat had surveyed poverty zones in the areas of Medawar and Rmeil Figure 8. and it is important to note that within residential areas of Karantina most were identified as all poor or half poor, which depicts a social fabric in desperate need for intervention of some kind. One of the poorest areas in the middle of Karantina is Arab El- Maslakh. The area consists of four blocks that are currently isolated within a larger area Figure 7. Land use in Medawar. Figurewith industries 7. Land use and in Medawar.unused plots. The residential buildings, although higher in numbers, consist of only 8.5% of the total building footprint of the area with an average footprint of 174 sqm. After the blast, UN Habitat had surveyed poverty zones in the areas of Medawar and Rmeil Figure 8. and it is important to note that within residential areas of Karantina most were identified as all poor or half poor, which depicts a social fabric in desperate need for intervention of some kind. One of the poorest areas in the middle of Karantina is Arab El- Maslakh. The area consists of four blocks that are currently isolated within a larger area with industries and unused plots.

Figure 8. Poverty levels by sector in Medawar.

In Karantina,Karantina, the largestlargest parcelparcel toto holdhold thethe mostmost heritageheritage buildingsbuildings isis thethe oneone facingfacing the Mar MikhaelMikhael traintrain station;station; itit holdsholds 4646 classiﬁedclassified buildingsbuildings FigureFigure9 9.. The methodology in this paper aims to merge the various parameters that have shaped the typo-morphology of the urban fabric of Karantina over the past years through ArcGIS. This exercise helps to better understand the intricate link between these selected parameters including, among others, vacant lots, non-constructible parcels, heritage buildings, land use, and poverty pockets, and identiﬁes potential opportunities to build back a better, more Figure 8. Poverty levels by sector in Medawar. sustainable, and improved quality of life in the Beirut city planning. In Karantina, the largest parcel to hold the most heritage buildings is the one facing the Mar Mikhael train station; it holds 46 classified buildings Figure 9. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442 9 of 16 Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 16

FigureFigure 9.9. HeritageHeritage buildingsbuildings andand lotslots inin Medawar.Medawar.

3. ResultsThe methodology in this paper aims to merge the various parameters that have shapedThe the recommended typo-morphology urban of planning the urban parameters fabric of Karantina mentioned over above the werepast years presented through in ArcGISArcGIS. map This in exercise order to helps simulate to better a sustainable understand development the intricate of link Karantina between with these the selected aim of improvingparameters the including, quality of among life. others, vacant lots, non-constructible parcels, heritage buildings, land use, and poverty pockets, and identifies potential opportunities to build 3.1.back Connect a better, Karantina more sustainable, and Mar Mikhael and improved quality of life in the Beirut city planning. Sustainable urban planning can be partly achieved through small scale interventions such3. Results as the reactivation of vacant lots and non-constructible parcels through connected pathsThe and recommended the re-use of heritageurban planning buildings. parameters Available mentioned data show above that were there presented are a high in numberArcGIS map of unbuilt in order vacant to simulate lots (36% a sustainabl of the totale parcelsdevelopment area) which of Karantina are present with within the aim the of urbanimproving fabric the of quality Medawar. of life. Non-constructible parcels (3.16% of the total parcels area) are small area parcels (less than 200 sqm) and create certain gaps in the urban fabric [9]. Most of3.1. the Connect time theyKarantina are derelict and Mar spaces, Mikhael private or public, used mostly as parking lots and generator platforms. Those lots should be integrated within the mobility plan and should Sustainable urban planning can be partly achieved through small scale interventions play an important role in connecting different ends of the area to the proposed urban park. such as the reactivation of vacant lots and non-constructible parcels through connected One of the main stakeholders in driving change should be municipalities. They hold within paths and the re-use of heritage buildings. Available data show that there are a high num- their realm numerous resources, unused or misused for most of them. ber of unbuilt vacant lots (36% of the total parcels area) which are present within the urban This fabric was severely damaged after the August 4th blast; a strategy for the re-use fabric of Medawar. Non-constructible parcels (3.16% of the total parcels area) are small of existing industrial amenities, heritage buildings, and residential buildings in decay area parcels (less than 200 sqm) and create certain gaps in the urban fabric [9]. Most of the needs to be developed. Figure 10 below presents how the establishment of a common time they are derelict spaces, private or public, used mostly as parking lots and generator platform can connect both areas. platforms.Reactivating Those publiclots should life through be integrated the elaboration within ofthe neighborhood mobility plan scale and urban should strategies, play an engagingimportant residents role in connecting in improving different theirbuilt ends environment, of the area to should the proposed be a priority. urban Karantinapark. One holdsof the withinmain stakeholders its realm a non-negligiblein driving change number should of be vacant municipalities. land and non-constructibleThey hold within parcels.their realm Linking numerous those resources, parcels into unused an informal or misused public for space,most of integrating them. the identiﬁed heritageThis parcels fabric leadingwas severely to a network damaged of open after communitythe August spaces4th blast; connecting a strategy neighborhoods for the re-use andof existing fostering industrial the sense amenities, of community, heritage belonging, buildings, and improvingand residential inclusion. buildings in decay needs to be developed. Figure 10 below presents how the establishment of a common 3.2.platform Reactivate can connect Ibrahim Bachaboth areas. and El-Khodr Streets and Link through Karantina As far as 1936, Ibrahim Bacha and El-Khodr streets were stretching all the way to the port (Ibrahim Bacha is seen on maps dating back to 1876). The Charles Helou Avenue broke that connection. Today these areas are witnessing high level of gentriﬁcation due to the growing urban developments. This paper proposes to reconnect those two ends of the streets which will help reactivate them and create seamless connections and mobility Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442 10 of 16

from the southern end to the northern end of the area. These important historical axes will play a crucial role in deﬁning the commercial ground ﬂoors of the area and their land use Figure 10. One of the most important objectives of this intervention is to revitalize the economy of the area and improve the social dynamics and the pedestrian experience, Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 10 of 16 which all combine to help in the rediscovery of the sustainable development of the city at eye level.

Figure 10. Sustainable urban interventions in Karantina/Medawar. Figure 10. Sustainable urban interventions in Karantina/Medawar.

3.3. RedefineReactivating El-Khodr public Mosque life through Boundary/Reclaiming the elaboration Its Roleof neighborhood as Urban Landmark scale urban strategies, Theengaging El-Khodr residents Mosque in improving dates from their around built 1664 environment, and is located should today be a at priority. the edge Kar- of antinathe highway holds within along El-Khodrits realm street.a non-negligible Over time, number some unsustainable of vacant land additions and non-constructi- were made bleto this parcels. valuable Linking religious those buildingparcels into and an other informal structures public were space, implemented integrating nextthe identified to it. We heritagepropose toparcels revert leading to the 1915 to a situationnetwork whereof open the community Mosque was spaces exposed connecting from all neighbor- sides. By hoodsredefining and thefostering boundaries the sense of this of Mosque,community, this belonging, allows for aand clear improving understanding inclusion. of the open space surrounding it, creating a public piazza connected to the station and to the southern 3.2.entrance Reactivate from Ibrahim Armenia Bacha street. and Moreover,El-Khodr Streets and according and Link through to the National Karantina Physical Master PlanAs for far the as Lebanese 1936, Ibrahim Territory Bacha of 2009 and [ 10El-Khodr], the local streets urban were plans stretching should identify all the way protection to the portperimeters (Ibrahim around Bacha these is seen sites on and maps define dating valorization back to methods1876). The adapted Charles to theHelou situation Avenue of brokeevery sitethat andconnection. endowed Today with these adequate areas valorization are witnessing regulations. high level of gentrification due to the growingSince its urban introduction developments. in 1958, theThis Charles paper Helouproposes isolated to reconnect the Medawar/Karantina those two ends of area the streetsfrom the which rest ofwill the help city. reactivate It is worth them investigating and create different seamless scenarios connections for the and future mobility planning from theofthe southern highway end andto the considering northern end its of removal, the area. making These important better use historical of the topographicalaxes will play asituation crucial role of the in adjacentdefining area the (morecommercial specifically ground the floors port). of This the paperarea and proposes their land to cancel use Fig- out urethe effect10. One of of that the infrastructure most important by objectives either tucking of this that intervention strip underground is to revitalize or relocating the econ- it omyfurther of Norththe area towards and improve the port, the as shownsocial dyna in themics proposed and the Linord pedestrian scheme experience, Figure 11. Anwhich old allengraving, combine “Porto to help della in the cita rediscovery di Barutti”, datingof the fromsustainable 1675 [11 development]. Figure 12 shows of the an city inspiring at eye level.view of Beirut gate surrounded by landscape and greenery. The idea of the Western gate stems from that image and proposes to establish a common green platform linking Mar 3.3.Mikhael Redefine train El-Khodr station Mosque to Medawar Boundary/Reclaiming Figure 13. Thus, Its byRole redefining as Urban Landmark the boundaries of this historical landmark, we are not only reclaiming its role as an urban landmark, but also The El-Khodr Mosque dates from around 1664 and is located today at the edge of the safeguarding its presence against a hostile environmental setting. This ensures a resilient highway along El-Khodr street. Over time, some unsustainable additions were made to and sustainable intervention. this valuable religious building and other structures were implemented next to it. We propose to revert to the 1915 situation where the Mosque was exposed from all sides. By redefining the boundaries of this Mosque, this allows for a clear understanding of the open space surrounding it, creating a public piazza connected to the station and to the southern entrance from Armenia street. Moreover, and according to the National Physical Master Plan for the Lebanese Territory of 2009 [10], the local urban plans should identify protection perimeters around these sites and define valorization methods adapted to the situation of every site and endowed with adequate valorization regulations. Since its introduction in 1958, the Charles Helou isolated the Medawar/Karantina area from the rest of the city. It is worth investigating different scenarios for the future planning of the highway and considering its removal, making better use of the Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of 16

Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of 16

topographical situation of the adjacent area (more specifically the port). This paper proposes to cancel out the effect of that infrastructure by either tucking that strip under- topographicalground or relocating situation of it thefurther adjacent North area toward (more sspecifically the port, asthe shown port). Thisin the paper proposed pro- Linord posesscheme to cancel Figure out 11. the An effect old engraving,of that infras “Portotructure de bylla eithercita di tucking Barutti”, that dating strip under- from 1675 [11] groundFigure or 12. relocating shows an it furtherinspiring North view toward of Beiruts the gateport, surroundedas shown in the by proposedlandscape Linord and greenery. schemeThe idea Figure of the 11. WesternAn old engraving, gate stems “Porto from de thllaat citaimage di Barutti”, and proposes dating fromto establish 1675 [11] a common Figuregreen 12. platform shows an linking inspiring Mar view Mikhael of Beirut train gate station surrounded to Medawar by landscape Figure and 13. greenery. Thus, by redefin- Theing idea the ofboundaries the Western of gate this stems historical from thlandmark,at image and we proposes are not toonly establish reclaiming a common its role as an green platform linking Mar Mikhael train station to Medawar Figure 13. Thus, by redefin- urban landmark, but also safeguarding its presence against a hostile environmental set- ing the boundaries of this historical landmark, we are not only reclaiming its role as an Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442 ting. This ensures a resilient and sustainable intervention. 11 of 16 urban landmark, but also safeguarding its presence against a hostile environmental setting. This ensures a resilient and sustainable intervention.

Figure 11. Proposed Linord project impact on Medawar. FigureFigure 11. 11.Proposed Proposed Linord Linord project project impact impact on Medawar. on Medawar.

Figure 12. Porta Della Cita di Bairutti, 1675. Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of 16 FigureFigure 12. 12.Porta Porta Della Della Cita Cita di Bairutti, di Bairutti, 1675. 1675.

Figure 13. Green platform and Mosque boundary redefinition. Figure 13. Green platform and Mosque boundary redeﬁnition. 3.4. Integrate Classified Built Heritage Built heritage is an important part of the cultural heritage of towns and cities. How- ever, current definitions of built heritage are narrow and rely on conventional conceptions of architectural and historical value. In many countries, these values are enshrined in legislation that defines what constitutes “built heritage.” However, the protection of individual buildings and monuments is rarely a problem, because they are addressed directly by existing legislation [12]. Similarly, an entire district or town can be designated a conservation area to prevent significant development. The most pressing problem is therefore how to address areas within towns and cities that are not considered worthy as conservation areas and yet form an essential part of the urban character. These urban fragments often epitomize a unique population density, historic nature, street pattern, or other urban morphological or cultural feature. They provide the context in which the more obvious heritage assets are located, but should not be treated as mere context, because it is often the ensemble of objects and their context that create value. There is a need, therefore, to broaden the current definition of built heritage to embrace less obvious examples [12]. In order to achieve a better integration within the urban fabric, these heritage buildings should be refurbished, and land-use rethought. Karantina has already attracted several firms and organizations looking for cheap rents and industrial spaces. This could become part of an extended plan for the re-definition of the identity of the area making it a hub for creatives and a cultural melting pot reflecting the dynamics of the city. By combining the above-mentioned interventions to our area of study, including (i) connecting areas of Karantina and Mar Mkhael through the reactivation of vacant lots; (ii) reactivation of Ibrahim Bacha and El-Khodr Streets; (iii) redefining the historical El Khodr Mosque boundary and reclaiming its role as an urban land mark; and (iv) integration of classified built heritage, it is found that this part of the city which was severely damaged after the POB blast can indeed be rejuvenated, better connected to the rest of the city, while creating opportunities for open and green spaces, which, combined, provide the necessary ingredients to a sustainable city and improved quality of life. Table 6 below presents a summary of these findings for our area of study. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442 12 of 16

3.4. Integrate Classified Built Heritage Built heritage is an important part of the cultural heritage of towns and cities. How- ever, current definitions of built heritage are narrow and rely on conventional conceptions of architectural and historical value. In many countries, these values are enshrined in legislation that defines what constitutes “built heritage.” However, the protection of individual buildings and monuments is rarely a problem, because they are addressed directly by existing legislation [12]. Similarly, an entire district or town can be designated a conservation area to prevent significant development. The most pressing problem is therefore how to address areas within towns and cities that are not considered worthy as conservation areas and yet form an essential part of the urban character. These urban fragments often epitomize a unique population density, historic nature, street pattern, or other urban morphological or cultural feature. They provide the context in which the more obvious heritage assets are located, but should not be treated as mere context, because it is often the ensemble of objects and their context that create value. There is a need, therefore, to broaden the current definition of built heritage to embrace less obvious examples [12]. In order to achieve a better integration within the urban fabric, these heritage buildings should be refurbished, and land-use rethought. Karantina has already attracted several firms and organizations looking for cheap rents and industrial spaces. This could become part of an extended plan for the re-definition of the identity of the area making it a hub for creatives and a cultural melting pot reflecting the dynamics of the city. By combining the above-mentioned interventions to our area of study, including (i) connecting areas of Karantina and Mar Mkhael through the reactivation of vacant lots; (ii) reactivation of Ibrahim Bacha and El-Khodr Streets; (iii) redefining the historical El Khodr Mosque boundary and reclaiming its role as an urban land mark; and (iv) integration of classified built heritage, it is found that this part of the city which was severely damaged after the POB blast can indeed be rejuvenated, better connected to the rest of the city, while creating opportunities for open and green spaces, which, combined, provide the necessary ingredients to a sustainable city and improved quality of life. Table6 below presents a summary of these findings for our area of study.

Table 6. Proposed interventions for an improved quality of life in Karantina.

Current Problems Proposed Interventions Merits/Defects Social isolation, economic Connecting areas of Karantina Integration of Karantina degradation, lack of and Mar Mkhael through the within overall urban scheme sustainable urban reactivation of vacant lots of city development Inactive commercial ground Injecting economic dynamism Reactivation of Ibrahim Bacha floors, splitting of street due into city, recreating missing and El-Khodr Streets to highway presence urban link Redefining the historical El Diffusion of Mosque as a Redefining boundary of once Khodr Mosque boundary and landmark within haphazardly lost important religious reclaiming its role as an urban constructed structures landmark landmark Potential loss of heritage Integration of isolated Integration of classified built buildings to modern structured into a sustainable heritage construction urban planning of the city

4. Discussion Lack of housing, overconsumption of natural resources, poverty, inequality, pollution, and instabilities in social and cultural values are all urbanization challenges which should be addressed by refining the urban planning of sustainable neighborhoods and cities. In order to support the urban future development and to build a sustainable relationship between urban citizens and urban spaces, UN-Habitat has recommended adequate space for streets and an efficient street network; efficient land use to accommodate more urban Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442 13 of 16

dwellers, provide social equity, increase energy efficiency, and reduce pollution; mixed land use to provide local jobs, promote the local economy, minimize car dependency, and support mixed economies; a good social mix that aims to ensure urban equity in terms of housing and promote the interaction between social classes in a community; and limited land use specialization that aims to limit or adjust the zoning policies. Amid unclear public policies, vague decision-making process, missing planning institutions and uncoordinated planning actions and implementation, Lebanon faces many challenges to achieve a more sustainable and inclusive role. Developing a regional planning framework is one of the tools that can successfully contribute to shifting this trend from a stagnant situation to a more interactive and forward driven mechanism. “One of its central goals is to overcome the different fragmentation processes that cut into the social fabric, leading to the exclusion of individuals and social groups from access to different common goods that are considered essential today, such as elementary social rights, education, basic services, housing and employment” [13]. This paper shows that by reactivating the vacant lots and non-constructible parcels in Karantina as identified in the above sections, reactivating the northern and southern ends of Ibrahim Bach and El Khodr streets which has presently been cut by the Charles Helou Avenue, and reclaiming the role of El Khodr mosque as an urban landmark with surrounding open spaces, the Karantina area will be relinked to the city, will have more opportunity for open and green spaces, and will ease the transport and commute times between Karantina and the main city. These all allow for the sustainable development of the Karantina area, thus improving the overall quality of life of residents and thereby contributing to diminishing commute time, improving air quality, mitigating urban overheating [14], and transforming loose spaces into public spaces within neighborhoods which families and the community can enjoy. While the repurposing of urban vacant land will not redress the causal roots of systemic inequalities, such interventions can still be pertinent for daily public life in cities. While Lebanon experiences multiple crises and its people struggle more every day, solidarities are direly needed, and spaces where people can meet and connect would play a key role in nurturing these solidarities. Vacant parcels can be such spaces, where playgrounds, food banks, and basic infrastructure can emerge, and where new forms of communal life can be experimented with [15]. However, achieving this reform requires connecting different actors and stakeholders. Politicians, planners, sociologists, anthropologists, technicians, economists, and civil ac- tivists must be included in the urban development process, working on spaces, construction materials, and building tools combining this knowledge with a set of legal, administrative, managerial, conceptual, scientific, literary, and negotiation tools. This bottom-up approach is essentially based on building on many small development initiatives, each focused on a specific topic of interest, reacting to problems that are preventing the instauration and development of sustainable planning. Thus, social inclusion and the role that citizens play in a sustainable development strategy can be beneficial through a voluntary contribution to neighborhood development. Similar such successful cases have been seen in neighboring countries such as Jordan and UAE as discussed above. Integrating adequate programs, like meet, play, work, gather, plant, and introducing initiatives in urban vacancies can respond to the needs of the neighborhood, ranging from infrastructure to agriculture, and thus generate a sense of collective ownership while at the same time improving the quality of the surrounding environment. Such initiatives usually do not require much capital investments or maintenance, can be managed communally, and operated temporarily, yielding fast results. Other cities with similar contextual and economic backgrounds which have implemented sustainable urban planning practices as per the United Nations Sustainable Devel- opment Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) [16] to improve the overall quality of life were also referred to in this paper. As noted, Beirut is a divided city, and case studies of divided cities like Berlin, Belfast, or Jerusalem indicate that contemporary planning Sustainability 2021, 13, 6442 14 of 16

interventions in divided cities rarely address the root causes of division. Beirut, Belfast, and Berlin are cities torn between war and peace, with strong city memory, with unique contexts and contested spaces. Difference and diversity as a prominent feature of the city should hence be incorporated in any planning approach, even if the consequences on the ground may differ. Considering that planning could change the spatial, economic, social, and political dimensions of a defined urban space, it would be crucial to depict which of these dimensions can be used to intensify or lessen contestations over space in divided cities [4]. Beirut has always functioned as a multicultural city where religious groups coexisted, but lived in separate enclaves, with few mixed neighborhoods [17]. This is strongly evident in Karantina, an area that experienced intense political conflict during the Lebanese civil war which has left strong marks in the neighborhood social fabric. Since its reunification, Berlin has adopted “Green city for 2030” as an action program and pursuing the long-term goal of making Berlin a climate-neutral city by 2050. It contains specific projects, measures, and instruments to meet the challenges formulated in the document and to achieve its objectives. The socio-economic reality of Berlin in 2020 is of a city that is strongly socially segregated between a wealthy and very well- off population on the one hand and a growing number of urban poor on the other—an inequality that has been on the rise since the double coronavirus crisis [18]. Although Berlin is way ahead today in its quest for sustainability, from 2001 till 2011, Berlin was, similarly to Beirut, going through difficult political, economic, and social crisis. A spatially targeted program that sought to solve social problems at the neighborhood level was set up introducing the “neighborhood management” as a main tool. By introducing a small-scale governance structure, the “‘neighborhood manager”, it created an intermediate level between the municipality, citizens, and other local actors [18]. Abandoning large-scale foreign investment, understanding the city demographics, transforming industrial facilities into cultural and creative hubs, and developing affordable living and working spaces were at the core of this strategy. Landscape projects such as the Gleisdreieck park Figure 14 were inaugurated, focusing on the north-south green corridor that creates a continuous system Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEWof paths throughout the city in a decision to dedicate this former wasteland into green15 andof 16

recreational spaces.

Figure 14. Gleisdreieck park. Figure 14. Gleisdreieck park.

MendingMending emotional,emotional, spiritual, and and socio-cultural socio-cultural connections connections becomes becomes critical critical for forany anyprocess process of recovery—with of recovery—with cultural cultural heritage, heritage, that that includes includes sites sites of social of social significance signiﬁcance and andshared shared memories—serving memories—serving as a ascatalyst a catalyst for a for successful a successful recovery recovery process. process. In this In sense, this cultural recovery operates beyond the limited definition of heritage tied to the physical and historical and goes beyond the urgent recovery process that is people-centered, heritage-led, and place-specific to address post-disaster basic needs. Crucially, it attends to socio-spatial practices that are part of the intangible heritage, and rebuilds, over the long- term, undermined cultural practices, social ties, and economic networks. Such industrial neighborhoods and informal settlements as Karantina, characterized by a deep social, cultural, and economic history, are therefore as deserving as any other neighborhood of a recovery process that is people-centered, heritage-led, and place-specific [14].

5. Conclusions The above development interventions in the Karantina study area selected for the purpose of this paper show that sustainable growth can be possible if these simple, yet necessary, changes are implemented. The POB blast which devastated the Karantina area offers a window of opportunity to set into motion these recommendations and build back an even better Beirut [3]. Special attention will be made to include stakeholders, communities, citizens, relevant NGOs, and CSOs who will help in a participatory approach to the successful development of the study area. Stakeholders would feel a sense of belonging and may be incentivized to make additional efforts to help achieve an improved quality of life in their communities. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of implementation of sustainable urban planning best practices in Beirut to interconnect different physical areas that were disconnected due to haphazard urban planning designs to serve suturing of the dismantled urban fabric in Karantina, reactivate a once flourishing community, and to integrate different social classes in the decision making processes resulting in the overall desired objective for an improved quality of life for the citizens of Beirut. It is recommended that future research zooms in on each of the interventions discussed within this paper to develop a sustainable methodology that deals with the individual user and the perception of the city at eye level.

sense, cultural recovery operates beyond the limited definition of heritage tied to the physical and historical and goes beyond the urgent recovery process that is people-centered, heritage-led, and place-specific to address post-disaster basic needs. Crucially, it attends to socio-spatial practices that are part of the intangible heritage, and rebuilds, over the long- term, undermined cultural practices, social ties, and economic networks. Such industrial neighborhoods and informal settlements as Karantina, characterized by a deep social, cultural, and economic history, are therefore as deserving as any other neighborhood of a recovery process that is people-centered, heritage-led, and place-specific [14].

5. Conclusions The above development interventions in the Karantina study area selected for the purpose of this paper show that sustainable growth can be possible if these simple, yet necessary, changes are implemented. The POB blast which devastated the Karantina area offers a window of opportunity to set into motion these recommendations and build back an even better Beirut [3]. Special attention will be made to include stakeholders, communities, citizens, relevant NGOs, and CSOs who will help in a participatory approach to the successful development of the study area. Stakeholders would feel a sense of belonging and may be incentivized to make additional efforts to help achieve an improved quality of life in their communities. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of implementation of sustainable urban planning best practices in Beirut to interconnect different physical areas that were disconnected due to haphazard urban planning designs to serve suturing of the dismantled urban fabric in Karantina, reactivate a once ﬂourishing community, and to integrate different social classes in the decision making processes resulting in the overall desired objective for an improved quality of life for the citizens of Beirut. It is recommended that future research zooms in on each of the interventions discussed within this paper to develop a sustainable methodology that deals with the individual user and the perception of the city at eye level.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, N.K. and D.A.; methodology, D.A. and N.K.; software, D.A.; validation, D.A. and N.K.; formal analysis, D.A.; resources, D.A.; writing—original draft preparation, N.K. and D.A.; writing—review and editing, N.K. and D.A.; funding acquisition. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Funding: This research received no external funding. Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable. Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable. Conﬂicts of Interest: The authors declare no conﬂict of interest.

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