Partner 6: GAIA-heritage (s.a.l.)
Transcript of Partner 6: GAIA-heritage (s.a.l.)
Mediterranean cultural network to promote creativity in the arts, crafts and design
for communities’ regeneration in historical cities - MEDNETA
KICK-OFF MEETING Athens, January 30, 2014
Partner 6: GAIA-heritage (s.a.l.) Contact details: Georges Zouain, Principal of Gaia-‐heritage, +961 3 634 310, +961 1 44 88 84 gszouain@gaia-‐heritage.com
Who are We?
• Beirut-based consultancy company – Management of cultural and natural heritage and the arts
• Key Expertise – Culture and heritage economics – Culture based urban regeneration – Regional development – Museums and art centers conception & implementation
• Experience with Creative industries – Creative Economy Report in Arab Countries – 2 surveys in Mar Mikhayel, Beirut: 2010 (partnership with British Council) and
2012.
Who we are?
UNESCO Chair in cultural
management
Rafik Hariri University
Lebanese American University
University of Cyprus
GAIA-‐heritage
Polytechnic University of Valencia
Urban Observatory
(NGO)
GAIA-heritages Role in MEDNETA
STEP 1: -‐ Research and fieldwork -‐ Assessment report for Beirut -‐ Interviews with local stakeholders -‐ Joint Integrated Strategy for ACDs revitalizaXon (WP4)
STEP 2: -‐ Plan urban intervenXon in a public historic building -‐ Organize Open workshop with selected stakeholders (WP5)
STEP 3: -‐ Online MED Forum for local stakeholders -‐ SelecXon to training programs -‐ Organize 3rd workshop/training program (WP6)
STEP 4: -‐ IdenEfy potenEal partnerships for pilot cooperaEon scheme (WP7)
STEP 5: -‐ Establish MEDNETA Observatory based on the Lab network* -‐ Provide scheme for rotaXng exhibiXon -‐ Organize the first rotaXng exhibiXon in Beirut (WP3-‐8)
• Leader of WP8 “ACDs Lab Network” • Increased responsibility in WP3
“Capitalization” and WP6 “Med Forum”.
Beirut and ACDs • Civil War: Widening gap between Beirut infrastructures and amenities with
urban renewal • Capital and Companies are flowing in, backed up by a creative youth • Mar Mikhael: Main creative cluster in Beirut • Location: North-East of Beirut, near the port
hGp://justmap.it/home.do?mapId=yerlOCLb0tw8
Mar Mikhael & the Creative Cluster
• Paradox of creative industries:
! ACDs’ presence attracted real estate developers
! Beginning of a gentrification process ! Real estate projects increase rents in
the district ! ACDs consider relocating where rent is
cheaper
Chart 1- New Creative Activities in Mar Mikhael per year (GAIA-heritage 2010)
Source: hGp://www.lecommercedulevant.com/affaires/immobilier-‐liban/les-‐prix-‐du-‐foncier-‐%C3%A0-‐mar-‐mikha%C3%ABl/21355
CreaXve Cluster of Mar Mikhael
hGp://justmap.it/home.do?mapId=yerlOCLb0tw8
RecreaXonal AcXviXes in Mar Mikhael
hGp://justmap.it/home.do?mapId=yerlOCLb0tw8
Issues to Address
! Lack of communication and organization among ACDs ! Gentrification going too fast by lack of urban regulations and
protection ! Frenetic real estate speculation
⇒ Leading to possible relocation of ACD cluster before it grows and
develops
How to achieve our objectives?
Senior experts of our network
• Urban planner (Serge Yazigi)
• Tourism specialist (Liliane Barakat)
• …
Stakeholders
• 98 Weeks • Creative Space
Beirut • Indyact
Historic buildings
• Toubaji Buildings & garden
• The Art Lounge • Beirut old Railway
station
THANK YOU