RECLAIMING THE PUBLIC DOMAIN

Private appropriation of the waterfront is a major
problem of the Lebanese coast. Private encroached on
the public domain continues because of the inability
of public authorities to confront market forces and
influential business enterprises. The outcome
threatens to overtake the entire Beirut Waterfront
depriving public usage and accessibility to the sea
on the one hand and destroying natural marine and
coastal systems on the other. Ramlat al-Bayda is a
particular case of this anti-social waterfront
development trend which is based on private efforts
to control, exploit and benefit from public lands.
The case of Ramlat al-Bayda requires alternative
urban design strategies that enable private schemes
to develop under precautionary measures that ensure
public accessibility and use. The aim of the research
work is to develop urban design guidelines to control
and direct private development to benefit the public
and enhance the ecological well being of the
waterfront.

Autorentext

Nasri Qumri, MUD. Masters of Urban Design from American
University of Beirut. Development Manager - Master Planning, at
Emaar Properties PJSC - Dubai, UAE.

Klappentext

Private appropriation of the waterfront is a major
problem of the Lebanese coast. Private encroached on
the public domain continues because of the inability
of public authorities to confront market forces and
influential business enterprises. The outcome
threatens to overtake the entire Beirut Waterfront
depriving public usage and accessibility to the sea
on the one hand and destroying natural marine and
coastal systems on the other. Ramlat al-Bayda is a
particular case of this "anti-social" waterfront
development trend which is based on private efforts
to control, exploit and benefit from public lands.
The case of Ramlat al-Bayda requires alternative
urban design strategies that enable private schemes
to develop under precautionary measures that ensure
public accessibility and use. The aim of the research
work is to develop urban design guidelines to control
and direct private development to benefit the public
and enhance the ecological well being of the
waterfront.