History

Redefine & Rebuild

As Beirut begins to rebuild, it is more important than ever to preserve Beirut’s heritage, but with the housing crisis caused by the 2020 explosion, the city also needs rapid urbanisation in order to cater for those who lost their homes. The site we have chosen has virtually no infrastructure, this can therefore be seen as an opportunity to redefine the centre of Beirut.

The port in Beirut is Lebanon’s only major port and as an importing nation with very little exports, the country relies on the international trade coming into Beirut. However the explosion has rendered the port unusable, with all of the infrastructure being destroyed. We must rebuild a small section of the port, if a portion of the port can be reconstructed, then the vital imports that country requires can again begin to flow into Beirut.

The diagram to the left shows an aerial view of the focal point of Beirut’s recent disaster. The city centres close proximity to the explosion means that large amounts of the cities vital infrastructure was damaged. The image also demonstrates the true extent of the explosion. As the country pushes deeper into debt, the government is unable to provide aid for those displaced by the explosion and repairs to the port have been lethargic and slow, Foreign aid is not available unless the political situation is resolved.

The Port Parliament BCD

Explosion Crater

The August explosion destroyed the whole of the Beirut major port. Putting a stop to the vital import that Lebanon needs to survive The explosion have created a crater 46m deep and nearly 100m wide. Vessels near the epicenter were heavly damaged. Beirut’s political centre is near the new BCD. Recent year have seen corruption in government and outrage from the people of Beirut. The BCD masterplan was designed by solidere. The plan intended to rejuvinate foreign attraction in Beirut, encouraging investment and tourism.