Post-conflict reconstruction and the decline of urban vitality in Downtown Beirut

ABSTRACT After becoming a no-man’s land during the civil war, Downtown Beirut underwent major reconstruction efforts to return what was lost of its vibrant character. Reconstruction was specifically organized as a flagship designed to reclaim Beirut’s status within the region. However, the environment has recently stagnated, with fewer visitors making their way to the downtown area. These circumstances are amplified by local instability and other related issues. As such, this study clarified the connection between reconstruction planning and the decline of urban vitality in Downtown Beirut by focusing on its historical centre. Based on analyses of planning documents, field observations, and interview surveys, this study specifically argues that neoliberalism and affiliated planning policies were associated with the aforementioned decline. This article first chronicles the planning development process and discusses the fluctuating state of vitality, then identifies the neoliberal policies involved in reconstruction and outlines their connection to the currently stagnated environment.