The Beirut Port Discussion Series

The Beirut Port Discussion Series
On June 25 and 27, 2024, the Beirut Urban Lab (BUL), in collaboration with our Institute and the Arab Center for Architecture (ACA), hosted two sessions as part of the Beirut Port Discussion Series. This series aims to foster a deeper understanding of the critical planning challenges that have emerged following the Beirut port explosion. The discussions focus on rebuilding efforts and mitigating issues resulting from poor governance, uncontrolled urbanization, and post-civil war reconstruction policies. This initiative encourages public participation, transparent discussions, and consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, including experts, academics, governmental bodies, economic institutions, and civil society organizations.

Session 1 titled “Lebanon Port Sector Reform, Recovery, and Development - World Bank Technical Assistance,” opened with introductory remarks by IFI Director Joseph Bahout, BUL’s Mona Harb, and The World Bank Country Director for the Middle East Jean-Christophe Carret. Presentations were made by lead Transport Specialist at The World Bank Anne Cecile Souhaid and Legal Expert Randa Abousleiman, followed by a discussion with former head of Beirut’s Order of Engineers and Architects Jad Tabet, ACA’s Hala Younes, and AUB Assistant Professor of Economics Ali Abboud, moderated by Mona Harb.

Meanwhile, Session 2 explored the French proposal for the port's regeneration, with ACA’s Hala Younes and Head of the Regional Economic Office for the Middle East at the French Embassy in Lebanon François Sporrer. This was followed by presentations from ARTELIA Project Director Osanne Paireau and EGIS Director of the Port Terminals Department Sylvain Bourgois. The discussion included Jad Tabet, Hala Younes, and Ali Abboud, moderated by UpLoAD Founder and Managing Partner Leon Telvizian, with concluding remarks by BUL’s Cynthia Bou Aoun.

Stay tuned for the full recording of the sessions.