LIVEABLE BEIRUT. Beirut port restoration project

Project idea

The port of Beirut is an important place not only within the city, but also around the world. The explosion stopped the processes taking place in it, which affected the life of the whole city. The task of the project was the need to breathe new life into this place. To make this place not just an ordinary cargo port, to preserve its importance from an urban, social and economic point of view. And to determine a new way and direction of development of the port, from which the restoration of Beirut will begin.

Project description

For the tasks set, the optimal solution turned out to be to make the port territory multifunctional. The territory was divided into 6 zones: pedestrian area, civilian port area, memory park, business area, warehouse area and ship unloading zone. They smoothly move from one to the other as anthropogenic, noise and other environmental loads increase. Thus, numerous residents using its universal functionality appear on the territory. The concept of the project was based on 6 main principles.

The first principle, an efficient port. First of all, the port must be functional, which is achieved by proper organization. Speed, quality, safety and convenience are the main characteristics of the newport. With the help of new warehouses and the organization of storage of sea containers, the work of the cargo port will reach a new level. A new quality of recreation.
The second principle, an important component of the new port will be places for recreation. A city park, a boulevard, a promenade, waiting areas and internal squares - all this will help to connect the port, make it useful not only for passengers, but also for the citizens.
The third principle, promising transport. A unified transport system, connectivity of land and river transport and transport hubs will help not only the port, but also the whole city. Modern terminals of the domestic and international ports will give an impetus in this direction Formation of the business environment.
The fourth principle, the future port of Beirut is a new center of life. To create an active space, places of new business life will be created. The business cluster will become the center of commercial transformations, will give the opportunity to use the territory to a larger number of residents. And the influx of users will increase the relevance of transformations.
The fifth principle, the spirit of the place. The tragedy in the port of Beirut affected the lives of everyone in this city. The memory of this will remain in architecture and landscaping as a reminder that such tragedies happen. Often or rarely. In any part of the world. But it is necessary to move on, having comprehended and experienced what happened.
The sixth principle, comfortable living environment. The modern residential units presented in the project (housing, residential apartments, hotels) correspond not only to the standards, but also to the traditional architectural images inherent in Beirut and studied with the help of panoramas and archival photographs.

Taking into account these principles and zoning, new buildings were designed, such as the international and domestic terminals of the port, the buildings of the port administration, underground transport hub, a business complex, a storage base and warehouse buildings. All these design solutions taken together should make this place a point of attraction and a place where it is pleasant to be.

Technical information

The main parameters of the project

Total area: 1 312 900 sq. m.
Pedestrian area: 202 300 sq. m.
Civilian port area: 131 370 sq. m.
Memory park area: 23 200 sq. m.
Business area: 123 840 sq. m.
Warehouse area: 374 410 sq. m.
Ship unloading area: 363 850 sq. m.
Transport infrastructure area: 93 930 sq. m.