R e i m a g i n i n g T a r i q e l - J d i d e hAn account o f d ream urban v i s ions

S u p p o r t e d b y :

C o n t e n t s

I n t r o d u c t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

D r e a m s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

M a p p i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

L a n d m a r k s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

N o d e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3

G r e e n A r e a s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5

B u i l d i n g s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7

S h o p s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1

F i n d i n g s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2

D a i l y P r a c t i c e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3

A s s e t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4

A r c h i t e c t u r a l H e r i t a g e . . . . . . 2 4

C o l o r s & G r e e n i n g . . . . . . . . . 2 7

P r o b l e m s & T h r e a t s . . . . . . . . 2 9

P r o p o s e d S o l u t i o n s . . . . . . . . 3 1

D r e a m V i s i o n s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2

C o n c l u s i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 9

A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s . . . . . . . . . . . 4 0

This brochure is © 2016 NAHNOO and is available for your re-use under a Creative Commons Attribution-

Non Commercial 2.5 License (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/)

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I n t r o D u C t I o n Tarik el-Jdideh (TJ) is one of the most densely

populated areas of municipal Beirut, composed of

diverse sub-neighborhoods whose residents have

been suffering from considerable urban challenges

in relation to infrastructure, transportation and

urban mobility, public spaces, architectural heritage,

environment, noise, etc. In the coming years, the

area will be the stage of a major and controversial

development project as the municipality of Beirut

plans to replace the iconic Beirut municipal stadium by

a multi-purpose civic center and playgrounds. Amidst

concerns that the community is not being consulted or

allowed to participate in decisions impacting its future,

this context of urban vulnerability invites the following

timely questions: How do residents of TJ envision their

dream neighborhood? What are the area’s problems

and potentials? What should remain and what should

be changed?

“Imagine you wake up one day and everything is perfect. What do you see?”

This “miracle question” sets the framework of this

project. It is so simple, yet so hard to answer! On one

hand, it attracts a number of unconstructive reactions

such as escapist, fictional, or extreme ones and, on the

other hand, it is intrinsically difficult to imagine a totally

different future. However - and there lies its value – it

holds the power to “inspire our intentions and move

us purposefully forward”1. This brochure presents our

attempt at grappling with this question in the context

of city development using a participatory approach to

meaningfully sample TJ residents’ aspirations and relate

them to our subjective urban analysis and envisioned

physical interventions. Our team consisted of 15 youth

from Beirut who had different ties with TJ, either having

lived there at one point or being frequent visitors. Our

creative journey started with communication and

participatory research workshops, where all shared

personal experiences in TJ and got introduced to the

value of envisioning. The field work was then launched

to interview residents based on the miracle question,

map the area’s assets and liabilities, and observe

some of the urban practices. The collected data and

our attempt at relating individual dreams to Tariq el-

Jdideh’s urban fabric is summarized in this brochure

along with envisioned dream urban interventions by

our team.

1 ’Why Imagine the Future’, Elise Boulding.

1 Young man interviewed at Sahet Abou-Shaker

2 Old man interviewed at Al-Turk Street

3 Shop owner interviewed at Afif El-Tibi Street

4 Woman interviewed at Fakhoury Street

5 Woman interviewed at Bchamoun Street

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1 Woman interviewed at Jalloul Street

2 Man interviewed near the Municipal Stadium

3 Man interviewed at Makkaoui Street

4 Old man interviewed at al-Amin Street

5 Old woman interviewed at the Municipal Stadium

6 Young woman interviewed at Kaskas Street

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D r e A M sDivided into subgroups to cover a wider geographic

area, we chatted with willing people of different age

groups and genders as we walked in the streets of TJ.

We asked them a variety of questions leading to the

miracle question. In total, 35 people were interviewed

and quite quickly, answers became redundant. The

average person is distressed by the economic situation

and feels uncomfortable with the “recently installed

strangers” who compete with residents on the job

market. They want jobs for the neighborhood and

foreigners to leave. They also want their social ties and

built environment to be preserved. And only once they

feel heard, do they accept to formulate other “wishes”

or “hopes”. Only representative quotes are showcased

here, with sometimes a number of complementary

answers combined in one quote.

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M A p p I n gTeam members walked the streets of TJ collecting

pictures of eye-catching urban “markers” and

chatting with people about them. Markers consisted

of city-scale landmarks, local reference points,

green areas, places with particular value to people,

buildings with significant architectural style, social

practices, etc. The focus was on physical elements.

This phase was important to understand the area’s

background, how it is appropriated by residents,

and to set the stage for coming up with dream

urban visions. In the following pages the identified

landmarks, green areas, nodes, buildings, and shops

are presented.

The mapping shows that the neighborhood hosts

several important city-scale landmarks that attract

visitors from all over Beirut, particularly the Beirut

Arab University, the Makassed hospital and school,

the Shohada Cemetery, the Municipal Stadium, and

the Khashekji Mosque. It also highlights the lack

of public spaces and green areas. The buildings

selected by the team members portray the diverse

typology shaped following the different phases of

the TJ urban growth and evolution from the two

floors “Lebanese” old house with its ground floor

garden to the 6 floors modern buildings, and more

recently the high-rise contemporary ones. Different

architectural styles are also identified as many

buildings display the characteristics of the art-deco

and modernist styles. Mapping the shops shows

how the Food & Beverages sector is vibrant in TJ and

how these old shops are also part of the collective

memory of both TJ dwellers and visitors.

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L a n d m a r k s

7 BeIrut MunICIpAl stADIuM (30 000 sq.m) - It constitutes a notorious historical landmark. It was built in 1936 during the French mandate, and re-mained the principal Lebanese official stadium until 1959, when the Camille Chamoun Sports City was built at 500m south of it. In 1982, it was bombarded and severely destroyed by the Israeli Forces. In 1996, the stadium was rebuilt and re-opened in 1997.

8 & 9 BeIrut ArAB unIVersIty - Founded by the Lebanese El-Birr wal Ihsan organization in 1960 during president Chehab’s mandate and is one of the most renowned universities in Lebanon. Egyptian president Jamal Abdul-Nasser sponsored and supported its establishment.

10 JAMAl ABDul-nAsser Mosque - According to locals, it was built in the early 1970s. It is named after Egyptian ex-president Jamal Abdul-Nasser whose influence and impact were significant on the neighborhood and its surrounding.

A Key map of the landmarks.

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1 KhAsheKJI Mosque - Designed by the famous Lebanese architect Assem Salam in 1968. It shows geometric articulations and is considered a landmark in contemporary Islamic architecture due to the unconventional design of the folded dome.

2 hAMAD Mosque or KhAlIyyAt hAMAD - An inheritance from Hussein Mekkaoui’s family. According to locals, it was built in the early 1950s and restored in 1996. It also serves as a venue for the community’s ceremonies.

3 Al-MAKAsseD sChool - Founded in 1920 as a school for boys under the name of Khaled Bin Al-Walid College and has expanded gradually. It was severely bombarded many times during the Lebanese war. It occupies a large lot; yet, its buses park on nearby streets.

4 Al-MAKAsseD hospItAl - Founded in 1930 by the The Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association. It occupies a large lot of the neighborhood as it includes different blocks and services. It is one of the most important hospitals and landmarks of Beirut.

5 IMAM AlI Mosque - Established in 1932, it was rebuilt in 1983. It is one of the oldest mosques in Beirut, and houses the Sunni Shari’a Court. It has a symbolic importance in the memory of locals as it witnessed several historical events.

6 oMAr BIn Al-KhAttAB sChool - Established in 1931 and is today a well-known educational institution in the area

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8 JAMAl ABDul-nAsser Mosque - A Y-shaped intersection between Corniche Al-Mazra’a, Abou Shaker, and al-Turk streets. It contains a green rectangular space serving as a gate from Mazra’a to TJ and an important gathering and meeting point for locals.

9 InterseCtIon oF AFIF Al-tIBeh AnD Al-turK streets - A longitudinal island that is used as parking spot from one side whereas its other green side is considered as a meeting point for local youth, particularly on special occasions

10 InterseCtIon oF AFIF Al-tIBeh AnD Al-BustAnI streets - An important intersec-tion due to nearby services such as the Mosque of Rached el-Houry and Jamal Abdul-Nasser Hall of the Beirut Arab University. It is close to an old fa-mous restaurant, Issa, which attracts people from across Beirut to eat fatteh, msabha, and foul (tradi-tional breakfast) especially on Sundays.

11 InterseCtIon oF hAssAneIn AnD Al-JAMI’A streets - Was recently designed to con-tain a triangular island in the center with a memo-rial for Issam al-Houry, former President of Beirut Arab University.

A Key map of the nodes.

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1 Al shohADA CeMetery - Visitors come from across Beirut during Al-Fitr and Al-Adha Holidays to visit the tombs of their relatives. Street vendors seize the occasion to sell related items (roses, incense, etc.).

2 InterseCtIon oF JAlloul AnD hAMAD streets - A gathering place for the residents, thanks to the existence of a bench and a wide sidewalk. On the opposing corner, a variety of shops are aligned (small coffee shop, plastic items shop, etc.).

3 sAhet Al-sABIl - A very famous meeting point, it hosts a memorial for Yehya Al-Arab on one side and a small green area furnished with benches on the other. It is named after a very old fountain located there.

4 Al-IMAM AlI Mosque - One of the most crowded areas in TJ. Few years ago, it used to serve as an informal outdoor extension for the Mosque during Fridays’ prayer. It is also an important point for social, political, and religious events.

5 sAhet MuFtI hAssAn KhAleD - Known as Sahet Al-Malaab Al-Baladi, a roads intersection that was recently transformed into a roundabout with a clock in the center as requested by Mufti Khaled’s son. Most of TJ celebrations happen here. It also witnessed several politico-sectarian conflicts following Nejmeh-Ansar football games. It is one of the most vibrant nodes of TJ.

6 sAhet ABou shAKer - Crowded with street vendors, parked cars, motorcycles, and young men who gather there to look after the area. It is also one of the most famous and vibrant squares in TJ due to its relatively large size, to the presence of a vast array of services and shops and to the fact that it serves as an entry point to inner neighborhoods.

7 ABDel-AzIz gArDens - Located in front of Omar Ben Abdel-janounAziz Mosque, it is one of the very few public green spaces where locals gather on special occasions and holidays like the Fitr and Adha, and when temporary equipment for children is installed.

N o d e s

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10 BeIrut ArAB unIVersIty lAnDsCApe. 11 InterseCtIon oF AFIF Al-tIBeh AnD Al-turK streets - A green palm trees island serving as a meeting point for local youth and men.

12 JAMAl ABDul-nAsser Mosque - It is an island used to organize traffic and serves as an entry point to the neighborhood from Mazra’a. Youth from Shabibet Al-Huda take care of its greenery.

13 shAMs BeIrut gArDen - A private garden serving as a shared space for the dwellers of Shams Beirut building. Access is confined to them.

A Key map of the green areas.

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1 horsh BeIrut - The only large green public space in Beirut. Originally, it extended over a million square meters but was gradually reduced to its current size of 330,000 square meters. Since its rehabilitation after the end of the civil war, it was closed to the public until a year ago when it reopened for all under the pressure of public space campaigners. Today, it is frequented by all people and hosts many events.

2 BeIrut hIppoDroMe - Built in the late 19th century, the hippodrome covers an area of 210,000 square meters. It was redeveloped during the post-war reconstruction. However, it is not widely used by the general public as it is reserved for organizing horse races or special events (e.g. Spring Garden Show).

3 KAsKAs IslAnD - An empty lot between Corniche Al-Mazra’a, Kaskas, and Tayyouneh. However, it is not visible to passengers as it is wall fenced. Satellite imagery show it as a green area; however, on ground, it came out to be a sandy space.

4 KAsKAs gArDens - Children playgrounds.

5 ForeIgn CeMeterIes - Date back to the World War II. The lands are owned by the related embassies. They are well maintained to the extent that locals consider them as the most organized areas of TJ.

6 MAKAsseD hospItAl - Satellite imagery show green areas within the Makassed property. However, on ground these came out to be alignment of trees shading the parking.

7 ABDel-AzIz gArDens - Located in front of Abdel-Aziz Mosque, it is a meeting point for residents. Children also play there.

8 sAhet ABou-shAKer - The Mufti Hassan Khaled Association designed this trapezoidal green island and planted its trees. Young men who gather there claim that they are the ones who take care of it as it serves as a meeting point for them and their friends.

9 the BeIrut MunICIpAl stADIuM FIelD (see landmark 7).

G r e e nA r e a s

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1 JAnnoun BuIlDIng - Built during the 1930s according to locals. It belongs to one family who does not reside in Lebanon. It has a private fenced garden and is distinguished by its round corners balconies, stucco finishing, vertical opening on the staircase, and green abat-jour. This building is going to be demolished to be replaced by a high-rise building as is the case of all old buildings on Hibri Street.

2 hAlABI BuIlDIng – Dates back to the 1960s, this building is distinguished by its round corner, longitudinal balconies, and concrete roof pergola. Locals confirmed that a real estate developer has bought the lot and gave compensations to old rent tenants who then were displaced. Today, awaiting demolition, it is inhabited by Syrian refugees.

3 AlleywAy wIth seVerAl olD BuIlDIngs - Several old buildings from the 1930s and 1940s are aligned and host old rent tenants. Locals confirmed that these buildings are all going to be brought down in two months to make place for high-rise ones.

4 Al-JAMMAl BuIlDIng - Dates back to the 1930s. It is distinguished by its art-deco style that is reflected through the generous curved balconies supported on circular columns, the crafted lintels and corbels. Today, it is an office building for Shabibat Lobnan al-Mustakbal rather than being residential. This is an example of old buildings reuse. According to locals, it was inhabited by a French general during the colonial period. Some people refer to it as the “Jewish house, beit el-yehoude ”

5 nAJJAr BuIlDIng - Known as Najjar after the watch shop on its ground floor. Locals confirm that it is a hundred years old. Most of its residents are owners, yet, its façades are dilapidated. It is distinguished by its yellow color, cornice, abat-jour, concrete balustrade on the main balconies, and wrought iron handrail on smaller ones.

6 CIneMA sAlwA - Dates back to the late 1950s and located at the - then - neighborhood entrance. It became vibrant during the 1960s; today, it represents a meeting point for elders as it is a part of the collective memory of Beirutis.

B u i l d i n g s7 JAnnAt Al-tAlABA sChool - Originally a res-idential building; today, it is used today as a school. It is distinguished by its concrete lintels and open-ings frames, vertically striped parapets, abat-jour, and decorative non-bearing columns used as separation between the balcony doors, as well as its eye-catching red and blue colors. This is an example of old build-ings renovation and reuse.

8 Al-rAhMA BuIlDIng - Massive corner build-ing, dating back to the 1960s. Most of its residents are owners and know each other which is reflected through its relatively good condition.

9 MeKKAouI BuIlDIng - Corner building dating back to the 1950s, it was originally constituted of six floors. The three upper floors were then added in the 1980s. It reflects the typical modernist style: wide entrance on the ground floor, projected slabs, and vertical concrete elements serving as shading devices.

10 ABou AMMo BuIlDIng - Dates back to the 1940s. It is distinguished by its vertical strips ensuring ventilation and access to daylight as well as by hori-zontal opening strips under the balconies slabs. The yellow paint covering the building facades used to be very common at that time. Both this building and the adjacent one have small fenced gardens which was also a common feature at that time.

11 JAlloul BuIlDIng - t is distinguished by its pistachio green color and blue abat-jour. It is an im-portant landmark/reference point for locals due to the presence of the famous fountain “Al-Sabil” at its bottom.

12 rABBAt BuIlDIng - Dates back to the 1930s. It is distinguished by its rounded columns supporting the generous balconies and by the horizontal opening strips under the balconies slabs.

A Key map of the buildings.

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21 Al-soussA BuIlDIng - A contemporary building representing the new typology that is taking over the area. It gained its reputation from both the “popular” Soussa snack at its ground level and the circular openings on the main facade which function as balustrades.

22 oMAr Al-ze’enI sChool - Was recently built to match the style of old existing schools.

23 BeIrut FIre BrIgADe - Established in 1955. The building is distinguished by its pilotis as it is elevated from street level in a way to give parking space to fire trucks.

24 ghAzAwI BuIlDIng - Built during the 1940’s. It has 3 sides overlooking two streets. It is distinguished by its concave corner, its slightly curved balconies, and its horizontal concrete shading devices.

25 1950s BuIlDIng - The balconies of this building remind us of the famous Badaro Inn building built in 1955 by the famous Lebanese architect Joseph Philip Karam. Badaro is today one the most prestigious neighborhoods of Beirut.

26 shAMs BeIrut - These four huge high-rise blocks were recently built at the western peripheries of TJ. They seem to be out of context and of the area’s scale, and incompatible with the local urban fabric. They consist of 165 apartment units with a private garden and different amenities. A private company manages this vertical gated community.

13 trADItIonAl olD house - Owned by the al-Baba family, the building is hidden behind the trees of its high wall fenced garden; it is distinguished by its yellow color and green abat-jour. It is one of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood as locals claim that it ages more than hundred years.

14 Al-MuFtI BuIlDIng - Reminds us of Shams building which was designed in 1960 by the famous Lebanese architect Joseph Philippe Karam in Raoucheh. Both are distinguished by their mosaic, colored balconies parapets and protruded vertical concrete partitioning.

15 sAADeh BuIlDIng - One of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood, it is an evidence of its early development. It is distinguished by its concrete balustrade and old style openings. Today, it is surrounded by high-rise buildings and is partially demolished.

16 KoBeIssy BuIlDIng - According to old men sitting in Doughan Café, this building and the adjacent ones were built more than 80 years ago. It is distinguished by its protruded structural columns, concrete framing the openings, central wide openings, wrought iron railing, and abat-jour. Today, it is no longer a residential building but rather the headquarter of al-Jarrah Scout.

17 shBAro BuIlDIng - Corner building dating back to the 1930s. It is distinguished by its old green abat-jour, corbels, and narrow balconies with horizontal striped openings. It is important as it reflects an early building typology of the neighborhood. Its ground floor is used today as a car repair shop while the first floor is still residential.

18 1950’s BuIlDIng - Dates back to the 1950s. It is distinguished by its rounded corner and balconies, green abat-jour, concrete kitchen claustra, and greenery on its wall. Locals were disappointed that many of these buildings are being replaced by contemporary high-rise ones as this phenomenon is sharply mutating the social and morphological identity of the neighborhood.

19 BloM BAnK BuIlDIng - Office building with vertical concrete shading devices and modular façade. It reminds us of the buildings of early Lebanese public institutions buildings which date to the 1960s and 1970s. Some of its units are residential apartments.

20 gArAge DArwIsh BuIlDIng - Known as “Garage Darwish building” in reference to the car repair shop located at its ground floor or even as “the blue building” as the blue paint covers its balconies and frames its openings. It is used today as offices for a political party. However, the picture shows that the lot is for sale.

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S h o p s

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1 Ta’awniyet Sabra (cooperative)

2 Nimr Al Wadi (Arab sweets shops)

3 Maktabet Al-Halabi (small bookshop)

4 A’assir Al-Salam (juice shop)

5 Akmishat Beirut (fabric shop)

13 Al-Soussa (snack)

14 Al-Fakhani (grocery shop)

15 Abou Fouad (Arab sweets shop)

16 Maktabet Abou Jihad (bookshop)

17 Maktabet Al-Horriya (library and stationery)

18 Al-Qabass (copy center and stationery)

19 Tolido Restaurant

20 Al-Daouk (Arab sweets shops)

21 Issa Restaurant (traditional Lebanese breakfast)

22 Maktabet Al-Salam (copy center and stationery)

23 Kahwet Sidani (popular men coffee shop)

A Key Map of the shops

6 Kahwet Doughan (popular men coffee shop)

7 Maktabet Al-Assi (small library)

8 Safsouf (Arab sweets shop)

9 Abou Ali wal Arbi’in Farrouj (snack)

10 Al-Fakhani or Abou Shaker (grocery shop)

11 Studio Al-Jami’a (photography)

12 Al-Houwari (pastry and juice shop)

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F I n D I n g sAfter conducting several urban tours in the

neighborhood, and with the help of team members

who live in TJ, we were able to find patterns that

indicate the residents’ preferences and daily

practices, as well as the challenges and potentials of

the area. Synthesizing our findings allows us to later

inform our envisioned interventions.

D a i l y P r a c t i c e s

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A s s e t sTJ’s old buildings, characteristic of several architectural

styles especially art-deco as well as early and late

modernism ones, are witnesses to its early and gradual

development. While in streets like Hamra or Badaro, such

buildings are an essential and intended part of the area’s

charm and attractiveness, in TJ many old buildings are

in dire condition. Renovating them would transform this

rich architectural heritage into an economic asset and

respond to the nostalgic sentiments shared by residents.

A r c h i t e c t u r a l H e r i t a g e

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TJ is quite a green neighborhood compared

to other Beiruti areas! Trees are planted on

many sidewalks, on building walls and inside

house courtyards, reflecting sometimes the

particular efforts that residents invest in

caring for plants. However, chaotic electricity

wires and the excessive number of cars

cloak the view and antagonize the soothing

effect of greenery. Green public spaces

are also lacking, while to many they are a

pressing need. TJ is also quite colorful and

dynamic. Graffiti drawings reflect feelings

of nostalgia, while numerous political street

signs are strong expressions of belonging.

Amidst a general atmosphere of neglect

and chaos, colorful buildings bring a touch

of friendliness to the highly urbanized and

congested area.

C o l o r s & G r e e n i n g

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P r o b l e m s& T h r e a t s

TJ’s urban challenges can be readily observed during

a walking tour. Chaos, high density of cars, little

parking spaces, traffic, lack of pedestrian friendly

streets, lack of public spaces, etc. More importantly,

dilapidating buildings, empty and for sale lots are

precursors of a significant change in its urban fabric.

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1 Neglected old urban fabric and misused alleyways as parking space.

2 Threat of new construction that might increase the density of the area.

3 Residents’ personal chairs on sidewalks gives insight about locals’ need for shared and public spaces.

4 Parking lot is used as a public space indicating the lack of and need for such places.

5 Garbage bins spread in different inappropriate locations inside the neighborhood.

6 Electrical wires chaotically overcrowding and disfiguring the neighborhood.

7 Unorganized sharing of the street between street vendors, pedestrians and vehicles.

8 High-rise contemporary buildings are changing the social, architectural, and morphological identity of the neighborhood.

9 Lack of safety measures to protect pedestrians, control vehicles, and organize traffic.

10 Application of the new rent law threatening many old renters of being evicted.

11 Lack of appropriate street furniture and equipment to serve pedestrians.

12 Cars parked on sidewalk in a way that hinders the walkability in the neighborhood

13 Neglect and demolition of old urban fabric

14 Motorcycle vehicles parked on sidewalk.

15 Old and low-rise buildings are surrounded and choked by high-rise buildings.

16 Traffic jams.

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P r o p o s e d S o l u t i o n s

TJ contains a number of large streets that could

accommodate several lanes and wide sidewalks

with street furniture. At the same time, its many

residual spaces could be transformed into small

public spaces. The several existing empty lots could

be transformed into temporary needed parking

space in different sub-neighborhoods. Its location

next to Horsh Beirut, the biggest park of Beirut, is

a major asset.

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10 For sale lots can be transformed into a public garden or a parking.

11 Empty lots can serve as a public space, garden or a parking.

12 Highway could be transformed to be pedestrian-friendly in a way that reconnects and provides easy access to Horsh Beirut.

1 Large empty lots located at the neighborhood edges can serve as parking lots.

2 Wide and calm street with the potential of becoming pedestrian friendly.

3 Vibrant node and street intersection with the potential of being organized in a way that improves the traffic, the pedestrian

access, and the vegetable market needs.

4 Large, calm, and low density streets that might be designed as pedestrian friendly and connected to a pedestrian network

all over the neighborhood.

5 Wide streets intersection that can be better designed a way to organize traffic and serve pedestrians.

6 Old neglected private gardens that may serve as shared space for residents if renovated and well equipped

7 Commercial streets could be better designed for the benefits of the pedestrians-residents and shopkeepers.

8 A very nice garden hidden behind a fence; it might made more visible in a way to be part of the street design

9 Nice narrow alleyways inside old urban fabric have the potential of being renovated and reused.

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D r e A M V I s I o n s The dream visions are based on the assumption that

public transportation is functional and widely adopted

in Beirut, such that traffic is reduced, in the hope

that one day this dream will become reality. We also

assumed that the presence of organized markets (to

sell vegetables or other items), and that public street

events are organized to promote the neighborhoods’

assets. From there, simple interventions consisted

of furnishing the streets with pedestrian-friendly

equipment, renovating old buildings, guaranteeing safe

passage ways to pedestrians, improving access green

public spaces, etc. Several of the designs were shown

to people on the streets. Reactions were unsurprisingly

very positive, with people emphasizing the cleanliness,

and beauty of that parallel world. Children showed

excitement, several people associated the pictures with

“prosperity” and celebrated the abundance of sitting

areas, but many believed that it could never happen.

1 Events and festivals are organized on regular basis to attract people and promote the neighborhood.

2 Improved nodes, larger sidewalks with necessary equipments for users.

3 Pedestrian alleyways serving as shared spaces for local dwellers.

A Map of the vision’s locations.

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4 Tariq el-Jdideh connected to Horsh Beirut, parking areas provided on the peripheries of the area.5 More benches and sitting places are provided across the neighborhood.

6 Old buildings are rehabilitated and their surrounding is upgraded.

7 Old buildings are rehabilitated in a way that celebrates the city’s memories and history.

4

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8 Sahet Abou Shaker designed as a public square serving not only as a meeting point but also as a commercial node with organized open market and sitting places.

9

10

11

8

9 -10 Pedestrian friendly streets with necessary equipment.

11 Afif El-Tibi, a pedestrian friendly commercial hub.

38 39

C o n C l u s I o nOur goal was to trigger TJ residents to think about

their neighborhood’s future. In the process we

learned so much about how to think positively and

constructively through exploring the paths pointed

to by the “miracle question” and grounding it in an

urban context. In fact, we were utterly impressed

by the potentials that the neighborhood contains,

especially after working on some ideas of simple

interventions that emphasized its assets. We hope

that our work has provided the stage to express

some of the aspirations of TJ residents and showcase

the beauty of one of the most “authentic” and

popular neighborhoods of Beirut. We believe that

the mapping we have done can be readily used

as a self-guided map to TJ to attract more people

to discover it, and in time this might empower TJ

residents to realize the potential and strength of

their neighborhood. This is our dream. We also hope

that the special perspective our work contributed on

TJ will give insights for future urban interventions in

the area.

12 Available public transportation.12

A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t sArchitect & urban planner: Yara Hamadeh

project co-ordinator: Jessica Chemali

teams leaders: Zeina Zamzam, Ali Sharara

team members: Ghina Hawwa, Rabih Assaad, Liliana Sakr, Farah Khaled, Marcelle Khatib, Rana Yalda,

Zakaria Baydoun, Yara Karazi, Fatima Ghalayini, Nada Abouzeinab, Abbas Sbeity, Dana Harakeh, Hanadi

Shmeit.

is a non-sectarian and non-partisan youth-lead organization that works towards a

socially cohesive society. It aspires to provide a platform for youth to engage in activities that promote

self-development and contribute to their communities. In addition, initiates advocacy

campaigns to promote public spaces all over Lebanon and works to promote participatory approaches to

governance. One of ’s major achievements to date is leading the advocacy campaign for

the reopening of Horsh Beirut, the biggest green area in Beirut, 20 years after it was closed to the public.

Among its other campaigns in Beirut is the campaign to rehabilitate the public beach of Ramlet Al Bayda.

info@nahnoo.org

(+961) 1 280474

@nahnoo.org, @HorshBeirut

@NahnooLeb

www.nahnoo.org

S u p p o r t e d b y

B y

HAYDA LUBNAN: Our brochure is part of a bigger collaboration between a number

of organizations across Lebanon under the title “HAYDA LUBNAN” which aims to

initiate a dialogue on how people in Lebanon would like to live.