Beirut Port development cluster

Project idea

My name is Sofia Fedorovna Chumakova, and I am here to propose the Beirut Sea Port Cluster project. This project has been developed under the supervision of my Senior Thesis Project mentor Vladimir Fedorovich Prikhodko from the University of Land Use Planning in Moscow, Russia.

The project started with a thorough analysis of the history of the place. By reviewing the damage assessment investigation, we have decided to design the new port from scratch. The port restoration will have a cumulative positive impact on the entire area affected by the explosion. The project master plan has been optimized according to the previous port zone layout and the port workers' habits.

The following zones will be located on the port's territory: passenger seaport with ferry, container port, oil terminal, conventional cargo port, fishers docs, and a private yacht club. We aim to create a "Development Cluster" uniting the port's vast territory with a transport network and pedestrian routes. In our project, we chose to emphasize the passenger sea port designed to become Lebanon's hallmark.

Project description

Along with the port itself, the passenger sea port area includes two buildings serving the ferry. Each building is divided into two functially identical wings. Each wing consists of the following areas:
1. The ferry area serving the tourists arriving and departing on local routes.
2. The departing area for an international cruiseships, including all the required transit zones and screening areas.
3. The arrival area of tourists from international cruisecruise ships, including all the required transit zones and screening areas.
4. Service area.

Via the system of vertical connections, the port provides the effective solutions for the cargo flow along with passenger navigation and transportation. The administration, port security, and development clusters are conveniently located in the middle of the port. The control tower equipped with two helipads is also located there.
The port has specially designed mechanical ladders that move along rails and can swing vertically within seven degrees to adjust for a specific cruise liner. The system of ladders and platforms ensures the proper distribution of the traffic flow. Arriving passenger are directed to the third floor. Departing passengers exit from the second level of the port. Pedestrians can use the above-ground pedestrian bridges to get into the sea port building or to travel around the entire port.

According to the project design, a Lebanese Cedar park will be located on the passenger seaport territory. The park will serve as a place of attraction for both tourists and locals. There will be themed playgrounds, including the one with the Phoenicians ship model made of cedar. Various recreation areas, including a skate park, volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts will be available for the general public. Cafe areas, pavilions, swings, a mass event stage, and walking routes have been also designed. Finally, the embankment piers will provide a stunning water view of the Mediterranean sea.

In the left part of the master plan, there is a memorial area honoring the lives tragically lost during the explosion of 2020. The stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea and the port of Beirut will contribute to the significance of the memorial area, celebrating the importance of human life.

Technical information

The port can simultaneously serve two international cruise ships, four small sea vessels, and a stream of ferries. This efficiency is achieved by the optimal location of the port, standing on a ledge of the shore. The port can use three of its sides for serving the ships and the fourth side for communication with the city.

In conclusion, we developed a master plan reflecting the contemporary tendencies in architecture. The proposed multifunctional port is designed to be useful and convenient for locals, port workers, and tourists. The five-kilometer-long walking routes guarantee safe and efficient navigation around the port area.