Beirut Cultural Strategy

After the end of the devastating civil war of Lebanon (1975-1992), a unique form of public-private partnership was formed to rebuilt the city centre between the state and SOLIDERE – The Lebanese Company for the Development and Reconstruction of Beirut Central District (s.a.l.).

In 2004, GAIA-heritage designed a cultural strategy for the revitalisation of Beirut Central District and for the city as a whole. A study was conducted to understand the city’s role in the Near East and the Mediterranean through its history, its sectors of strength and its potential cultural leadership. Twinning and cooperation with other Mediterranean cities was also explored as a major path towards a regional cultural dynamism.

Following the study, GAIA proposed the establishment of five large-scale cultural centres to sustain the strategy, each dedicated to the contemporary arts, the performing arts, archaeology, the Mediterranean City and the Knowledge City. Recommendations were made to locate these centres along a South-North cultural corridor going through the former Martyrs’ Square and ending by the sea.

The project was never implemented.