The Slow Erasure of a City: Heritage Demolition, Urban Memory, and the Reconstruction of Identity in Beirut
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The architectural heritage of Beirut has been deeply shaped by post-war reconstruction and rapid urban redevelopment, leading us on asking some important questions about the preservation of urban identity. This study examines the relationship between Beirut’s heritage demolition and the urban development leading to the transformation of Beirut’s environment through a qualitative case study of Solidere redevelopment project in 1994. Analyzing the heritage legislation, and academic literature, the research evaluates how redevelopment has influenced Beirut’s historic fabric The findings suggest that even if the solidere project contributed to the economic recovery and physical reconstruction, it has accelerated the replacement of traditional architecture by erasing completely Beirut’s old traditional souks, affecting the continuity of the city’s rich heritage. The study concludes that a sustainable urban development would mean that development should integrate heritage conservation into planning policies to preserve as much as possible Beirut’s architectural identity while always supporting future growth.
Keywords
Architectural Heritage, Beirut, Collective Memory, Solidere, Urban Identity