Spatial change process of the downtown of Beirut through urban reconstruction planning

Through an analysis using the Multi-Layered BaseMap System for Middle Eastern Cities

Abstract

Syrian civil war happen in the march of 2011 has been continuing till today. Based on the realization of international cooperation in the domain of urban planning cooperation, it is suggested that Japan should play an important role for Syria's urban reconstruction planning after the peace recovered. In this point of view, this paper considers the urban planning history of Beirut. The urban formation of the Ottoman era, French mandate, and urban planners such as Ecochard and Banshoya are common with the case of Syrian principal cities. The Ecochard plan in 1943 had a great influence on its successors even till today, and the redevelopment project of Gargoul and Saifi district are now on going under the strong leadership of Rafic Hariri and his successors.