Joining forces for the redevelopment of the Beirut PortCity
The Port of Beirut is the main gateway for the trade of Lebanon and one of the largest and busiest ports in the Eastern Mediterranean. Located in the centre of the city, the Port of Beirut is a truly typical city port that, together with its lively surrounding neighbourhoods, sets the pulse of the Beirut metropolis.
On 4 August 2020, the largest recorded non-nuclear explosion caused by improperly stored ammonium nitrate killed at least 200 people, injured thousands, and displaced about 300,000 people. The blast has destroyed large sections of the port and its infrastructure. The port has been working at a reduced capacity of around 65 percent ever since, with no storage available, meaning cargo operations are further slowed by the need for direct delivery of non-containerized cargo only.
There is a general agreement from all sectors that the port and the city centre must be rebuilt—however, the how, who, and when are assessed differently.
This is the situation in which the initiative of experts for port and urban development comes into play. With the support of the German Embassy in Beirut and the Governor of Beirut, HPC Hamburg Port Consulting, Colliers and Fraunhofer IMW held a press conference on 9 April 2021 to present a proposal to the Lebanese public that offers an opportunity for a new beginning.
Based on the principles of transparency, conservation of heritage, effectiveness, and family-friendliness, this proposal analysed various options and suggested one particular for the reconstruction of the city harbour, its adjacent historic neighbourhoods, and sustainable self-financing.
The Beirut PortCity Dialogue platform is an opportunity to discuss the proposed options. Under the motto “Let’s make it work together – feasible solutions for Beirut PortCity,” the initiators invite individuals and organisations, including those interested in the re-development of the port and the city of Beirut to participate in the Beirut PortCity Dialogue.
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