Capstone Report – Linking Economic Change and Social Justice in Mar Mikhael

Since 2009, GAIA-heritage has been following the changes taking place in the district of Mar Mikhael, where a spontaneous cluster of creative economy young entrepreneurs started to develop. This insertion of contemporary economy start-ups in a traditional mixed district has had paradoxal consequences.

The Capstone is a client-oriented research project based on original field research which generates a deliverable product. A group of 3 to 5 students dedicate 2 days a week for a whole semester to the Study. This product is part of Sciences Po’ academic curriculum and graded according to norms of academic quality.

During a 10-days long fieldwork in Beirut, students from AUB-Issam Fares Institute and Sciences Po worked in small groups, advised by a specialist, in order to conduct a high quality research project on Mar Mikhael.

The Capstone Report provides key expertise and recommendations in addressing urban governance issues in the district.