RE-INTERWINE_Rebuild Beirut

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Department of Architecture, Taipei City

Project idea

This project aims to redesign each urban block and connected it in tandem with a linea r transportation system. An intertwined approach is used to try to solve the problems of the city. The four specific zones identified—based on opportunity and potential—are characterized by different strategies and uses. They can be described as: Waterfront activities center, Cultural and Creative Center, Agricultural Trade and Food district and innovation center.Coupled with citizen participation, allow users to customize their own street activities and behaviors. We aim to provide a sustainable urban design that belongs to the local population!

Project description

Beirut is one of the oldest cities in the world, devastated by the Lebanese civil war 30 years ago. Its cultural landscape underwent major reconstruction. For nearly three years now, Lebanon has been assailed by compounded crises—specifically, an economic and financial crisis, followed by COVID-19 and, lastly, the explosion at the Port of Beirut on 2020, the economic lifeline of the city was forced to stop functioning. —“After the explosion: What’s next for Beirut?”

This project takes a bold approach towards rethinking the future for Beirut by adopting a strategic tactic to incentivize and distribute development across the neighborhood. In the hope to convert it from a transient neighborhood, with little or no relationship to its various adjacencies—namely the Medawar district, Saifi Village—the strategy adopted here is that of re-linking by a new public transport system and re-negotiating thresholds to create an equitable and sustainable future.

Technical information

"Re-intertwine" adopts the design concept of the 15-minute city that integrates different modes of transport, including cycling, and increasing green space and public space. It takes an interesting user-oriented approach to developing multimodal solutions for every user profile, using public transportation to get to different hubs in the neighborhood.

It is our belief that Beirut can develop towards becoming a city of diverse tech nodes. Thus the project aims to reimagine Beirut by leveraging its unique location and proximity to waterfront, by attracting investment from international businesses and neighboring countries in the Mediterranean, converting excessive infrastructure from a liability into an asset, reconnect people to water and nature to have a place that's more human skin, more calm and protected.

This project will be led by local administrative units or professionals in its overall urban planning direction. Local residents can participate in public space decision-making in various areas..

In the process of urban planning. Public participation can increase the usefulness of the space through the use of a mobile app. Transparency of the cost, time and different functions of urban development. People can understand the future of their city through APP and AR. We have designed a variety of activity opportunities in four different activity directions. Let citizens customize their open spaces. The public can participate in the process of regional planning. Build cities that serve the public interest.

This project rejects the traditional urban design scheme of top-down and bottom-up. Instead, it adopts cooperative urban planning and design, and distributes its creativity and voice. Rather than redefining power relations for decision-making, the purpose is to strengthen collective practice and interactions between professionals, local governments, and citizens.