PROGRAMME

The workshop activities will be split into blocks:

• On-line activities (May-June) in which participating students and teachers will become acquainted with the case study area, its history and the ongoing master plan development. These activities will be carried out distantly, using web-based collaborative learning environments, teleconference and video lectures.
• On-site activities (July 1st-6th), in which the participants, working in teams made of students from different schools and countries, will develop proposals aligned with the overall objectives of the master plan. These proposals will be presented to a panel of local experts and community representatives in the last day of the workshop.

Research methodology

The study will address the multiple dimensions involved in the reconstruction of the neighborhood physical and social fabric. With this purpose, the various interrelationships between urban, architectural, social and economic layers will be explored.

The work to be carried out during the on-line and on-site programme will include the following activities in relation to the case study area:

a. Urban analysis;

b. Socio-economic studies;

c. Morphological analysis;

d. Typological analysis (residential and commercial buildings);

e. Assessment of existing amenities and public services (schools, hospitals);

f. Usage of public spaces (piazzas, library);

g. Identification of cultural features (local products, shops, food);

h. Proposals for new activities

Objectives

• To understand the ongoing process of urban reconstruction in the city of Beirut, and to contribute to the development of the master plan of the case study area in Karm El-Zeitoun
• To formulate concrete proposals for the transformation of the four selected areas: Community Hub, Garden of Peace, Rehabilitation Network and Linear Park
• To propose strategies which assure the integration of the various dimensions and scales (urban, building, and domestic) in the future development of the neighborhood.

Schedule

Preparatory activities will take place during May / June in online learning environments.

The workshop will take place during from Saturday June 29th to Saturday July 6th. During the weekend of June 29th and 30th, there will be visits to the case study areas as well as architectural tours to other areas of the city of Beirut.

From Monday July 1st to Friday July 5th, studio work and lectures will take place in the LAU premises.

The final presentation of the proposals will take place on Saturday, July 6th, during the morning.

Credits

The participation in the workshop online and onsite activities will be equivalent to 3 ECTS.