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LOCAL IDENTITY AND CULTURAL APPROPRIATENESS THE REBUILDING OF

CENTRAL BEIRUT

Article · June 2011

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 LOCAL IDENTITY AND CULTURAL APPROPRIATENESS
THE REBUILDING OF CENTRAL BEIRUT
Hassan ABDEL-SALAM1, Ibrahim MAAROUF2
1
Dean of Faculty of Architectural Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
2
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architectural Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
E-mails: hasalam@bau.edu.lb, ibrahim.maarouf@bau.edu.lb

Abstract
Local identity is a complex issue consistently generating broad concerns among the groups involved in
the management of built environments. It is extensively addressed through relevant literature and
engenders a wide debate, especially when examining its relationships with Redevelopment and
Cultural Contexts. This paper is an attempt to look at the cultural appropriateness of renewal projects
which were carried out in post-conflict decades in Central Beirut, Lebanon. It presents a concise
review built around a case-study model with three core parts. First, the Local Context is examined in
order to explain the current revival scheme: What constitutes the Local Identity; Why is it critical to
safeguard; Where is it mostly manifested; When and for how long has the process been operated;
Who are involved; and How is it managed. The second part offers multiple views as to illustrate the
reconstruction in Central Beirut and highlight its positive and negative aspects. In the third part, an
approach for Assessing Cultural Appropriateness is proposed, based on a set of general aspects
through which Heritage Management could be judged and Cultural Relevance assessed. Such
evaluation of any intervention is needed to determine a cultural value and also to establish what
lessons are to be drawn. A tentative list of parameters for evaluation is compiled to test whether
expectations and aims are fulfilled. The research offers a brief discourse that could lead to further
insight into enhancing the processes of revival of Built Heritage.

Keywords: Built Heritage Management; Cultural Appropriateness; Reconstruction Projects; and Beirut.

1. Introduction: Reflections on “Local Identity”

Local identity has always been a complex and multi-faceted issue. It consistently generates a broad
interest and concern among the different groups of actors involved in the production, consumption and
control of the “Built Environment”. It is extensively addressed through relevant literature, and material
both in the fields of Architecture and Urbanism and surely beyond. It continues to engender a wide
debate, especially when examining the mutual relationships between “Identity”, “culture”,
“contextuality” on one hand, and “Growth”, “Development”, and more recently trends of “Globalization”
on the other hand.

Of the first set of keywords, some groups advocate that every place should have its own special
character, or “identity”, as to distinguish it from other places. Looking at the background of human
settlements, and the way they develop, distinct local and regional identities came into being without
anyone necessarily trying to achieve them, because of the vernacular processes through which most
localities were produced . In consecutive periods or stages of urban history, with more transportation,
communication, and cultural exchange, radical changes were introduced, bringing in more similarities,
imitations and standardization of styles across different parts of the world. Looking at the second set of
keywords, other groups also advocate the need for change, the requisites for progress, and the
seemingly compulsory adoption of new ideas. In this perspective, all that is old, traditional, or local is
deemed decadent and potentially stifling to any creativity or innovation.

At the present time, after many deliberations and theories being developed and released in this
respect, it is the notion of “transculturality” that needs attention and scrutiny. While it offers many
advantages in the way of similarity, adaptation and integration, it also comes with a degree of division,
dissonance, and potential conflict with the local models, and culture-specific prototypes and
perceptions associated with them.

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A closer look at the lexicon definition of the two keywords Local and Identity would help in the quest to
better address and manage the built heritage of diverse human settlements. First, the term “Local” is a
description of something as relating to a particular area, or affecting a particular part of a body.
Second, the term “Identity” means the fact of being who or what a person or thing is. The linguistic
meaning helps appraise the allegory and its validity. Their association in “Local Identity” lends itself to
appropriate use in architectural vocabulary, combining their connotations together and signifying the
target of envisaging an identifiable character associated with a certain locality. That is simply the sum
of qualities that make a place different from other places, or the particular nature of this place, its
vigour, originality, image and status.

In this context, one could also reflect on two different viewpoints. The first considers local identity as
the principal generator of architectural style and character, as one factor providing a product or
commodity. While the second beholds local identity as itself a process resulting from the interaction of
place-specific attributes, lifestyles, perceptions and trends, including architecture and planning
tendencies. The latter, of course, seems to be more dynamic as it invites more adaptability,
changeability, and progress, since it is well known that the humankind, nature, and circumstances all
change, alter, and evolve (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Views of different locations in Lebanon, reflecting the multiplicity of stimuli that results in a pluralist
character and images that together constitute the country’s rich identity: a dynamic notion resulting
from the interaction of place-specific attributes, lifestyles, perceptions and trends, including
architecture and planning tendencies (Source: Authors, 2010).

2. Local Context Review: What, Why, Where, When, Who, and How
This part introduces the particular context of the Lebanese capital city Beirut. A metropolitan
conglomeration, Beirut has developed over a long period of time, blending in several influences and
impact-inducing periods throughout its long history. Like its many counterparts around the
Mediterranean basin, all the successive civilizations which thrived in this part of the world have left a
visible impact on the city. Beirut as a focal part of the Middle-East region, has indeed witnessed
periods of unrest and disturbances due to diverse causes such as political, civil, and military conflicts.
To have a real look at the Local Identity in the case of Beirut, one should attempt to understand its
case-specific contextual issues.

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 2.1 What is Local Identity?
Local identity, in the case of Beirut, is a particular one and invites widespread deliberation and
opinions. It is basically a multifaceted pluralist notion with rich characteristics resulting from the
combination and accumulation of complex stimuli acquired through successive periods of time. It
results in an eminent mix of architectural styles, urban morphology, lifestyles, and a composite socio-
economic framework. Understanding such complexity entails a careful understanding of the city’s
evolution, continual change, and relationship with socio-cultural formation of the society. The resultant
character is mostly visible in the Central District, and hence the quest to re-establish its image and
status as a prime sophisticated hub for investment, trade, tourism and culture, making it once again a
source of pride to the local community.

2.2 Why is it critical?

Though the issue of Local Identity is of prime significance almost everywhere, it takes up more
importance in some cases and contexts, which immediately apply to Beirut. Being part of the Third
World, it has a social and economic framework subject to continuous changes and fluctuations. They
occur in a rapid manner, which is exacerbated by several wars and internal conflicts. The Built
Environment frequently comes under enormous pressure for change, rebuilding, and redevelopment.
Such a process inflicts several disadvantages, and causes dramatic shifts and alterations threatening
the city’s valuable cultural heritage.

2.3 Where it is mostly manifested?

Beirut Central District is undergoing an ambitious renovation scheme, putting it on track to become
once again the bustling core, and thriving economic nucleus it used to be. During the ordeal of civil
war, this very centre came to represent the confrontation, segregation, and widespread destruction, as
it physically constituted the division line between warring factions: between East and West Beirut. The
centre enjoys a high concentration of traditional and historic buildings, homogenous yet rich in style,
details and architectural features. The building stock is eclectic, blends local and European influences,
and is distributed on a radial-grid layout that mostly dates back to the French Mandate Period.

2.4 When and for how long?

Rebuilding central Beirut was launched in 1992 shortly after signing the peace accord in Taif (KSA).
The restored peace and calm renewed enthusiasm and efforts dedicated to bring the country and its
capital back to normal state, and entice investment, enterprise. Almost twenty years on, the rebuilding
scheme entrusted by the state to the private company “Solidere”, is perceived to have well managed
to restore the physical image, the stock of historic buildings, and ultimately the sense of place. With all
of these, one could see the return of a unified local identity, urban functions, activities, and a renewed
feeling of belonging and pride(Figure 2).

2.5 Who are involved?

Groups of people who were involved in the process of redeveloping Beirut’s Central District could be
viewed as “Actors. Each group of actors has a distinct set of interests that steer and direct the role
they play in the overall process. Accordingly, it is important to regard such interests as focal drive-
forces shaping the culture-based judgment. The group of Producers emphasizes the issues of
Economics, Budget, Efficiency, and Marketing. The second category, Consumers are more concerned
with particular Needs, Values, Interests, and Aspirations. The third group has the Controllers with their
concern mostly placed on Standards, Regulations, Laws, and Public Interest.

2.6 How is it managed?

At the onset, the state has organized the large-scale project of post-conflict reconstruction. Rebuilding
Beirut Downtown has been entrusted to a private real-estate company named “Solidere”. The active
partnership between the private and public sectors allowed the realization of much of this ambitious
project and its bold objectives, and overcome any bureaucratic hindrance. Solidere, the privately-run
company in charge of management and implementation, is basically a holding company that instigated
property consolidation and the grouping of properties’ landlords and other contributors into one
integrated body of shareholders (Figure 3).

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 B

A C
Figure 2. Local Context Review of Beirut entails a careful understanding of the city’s evolution, continual change,
and relationship with socio-cultural formation of the society. The resultant character is mostly visible in
Beirut Central District (BCD):
A. Aerial view of Place De L’Etoile and surroundings;
B. Renovated historic buildings enclose pedestranized public space;
C. New sense of place stemming from the combination of new development adjacent to preserved
monuments. (Source: [A] Saliba, 2004: 60; [B and C] Authors, 2010)

Figure 3. Map of Central Beirut: Area-wide project for reconstruction, redevelopment and upgrading,
administered by the private-sector company “SOLIDERE”: an ambitious rebuilding scheme that is
perceived to have well managed to restore the physical image, the stock of historic buildings, and
indeed the sense of place.(Source: www. solidere.org.lb, 2010)

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 3. Views from Beirut Central District: The Built Heritage Reborn
Strategically poised between East and West, Lebanon has always had a capital city among the most
enlightened and culturally animated. Favourably situated at the crossroads of civilizations, Beirut had
a considerable impact from almost every culture touching the region. It has been a melting pot of
many cultures and has remarkably absorbed them into a unique personality and a distinctive character
especially found in its central Business District. Today, this urban core peacefully fuses the heritage of
such a mixed background and composite history. The traditional graciousness of the place and its
people has survived side-by-side with the destructive influences of civil war and sectarian conflicts. In
this very centre, some of the most exquisite architectural works, mostly dating back from the French
Mandate period, are re-emerging alongside the shabby, poor-quality, by-products of the worst
speculation imagined.

The rebuilding of central Beirut constitutes a valuable experience. When systematically reviewed, it
reveals indicative results (here presented in no particular order). The positive achievements include
(Figure 4):
ƒ The centre’s rich built heritage and buildings’ stock rescued;
ƒ The physical image of the district is restored and further enhanced;
ƒ Some functions have returned and other ones re-introduced;
ƒ Improved infrastructure achieved with higher standards;
ƒ Economic rehabilitation boosted up by further impetus;
ƒ New management policies and techniques widely adopted
ƒ Good monitoring and governance of progressive scheme;
ƒ Renewed interest, attachment and care by the people;
ƒ Social activity returned, with enhancement /support programs;
ƒ More amenities and support facilities for outdoor social life;
ƒ Good patrolling and increased sense of safety; and
ƒ Attractive environment enticing to business and corporate enterprises.

Figure 4. A systematic review of the rebuilding of central Beirut reveals positive achievements, namely rescuing
the damaged built heritage, restoring and enhancing the physical image, and thus reinstating an
attractive environment enticing to socio-economic development. (Source: Trawi, 2003: 35, 235, 255)

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However, negative outcome could also be underscored (Figure 5), including:
ƒ Original mix of functions lost, especially residential components;
ƒ Visible activity accommodated in limited places and time of day;
ƒ Limited vehicular accessibility and circulation within the district;
ƒ Local residents shift and replacement by affluent clientele;
ƒ Heavy infiltration by offices and private businesses;
ƒ Area and real estate subject to gentrification and speculation;
ƒ Soaring prices of real estate, receding sales and property leasing/rental;
ƒ Vulnerability and adverse impact of instability and volatile political situations.
ƒ Perception as imposing strict over-planning/guidance of new projects.

Figure 5. The rebuilding of Central Beirut, however, had negative outcome, e.g. original mix of functions lost,
visible activity accommodated in limited places and time, and real estate subject to gentrification and
speculation (Source: Authors, 2010).

4. Assessment of Cultural Appropriateness: An Approach

Following a restorative intervention of such extent and scale, it would be appropriate to carry out
reviews, appraisals, as to evaluate its cultural relevance, robustness, and compatibility with the overall
context, needs and aspirations of the community. The following is an attempt to look at a set of
aspects, attributes, and features through which a project addressing local identity could be judged,
and its cultural relevance assessed. Together, these aspects constitute a perception of cultural
appropriateness, and the extent to which they are achieved would reflect the value accorded to
specific projects/schemes, be it of high cultural value, medium, low, or even no cultural value.

Evaluation is needed here to determine a cultural value and also to establish what lessons are to be
drawn from the so far implemented phases. It is useful to note that two types of evaluation could be
sought:
ƒ Product Evaluation: to examine the value of renovated physical environment; and
ƒ Process Evaluation: to investigate the process of implementation and management.
Evaluating the cultural value of a certain scheme can differ in breadth or depth, method, time and
people involved in the appraisal.

6
Likewise, primary evaluation criteria could also be classified under two categories:
Sample Questions for the Evaluation

ƒ Are buildings being used in the way anticipated by the community?

ƒ Are the users satisfied?
ƒ Have the original functions been restored?
PRODUCT

ƒ Are new contemporary functions accommodated?

ƒ How do the buildings perform environmentally?
ƒ What do different groups of actors think about the buildings/project?
ƒ Have original qualities been preserved? Any new ones introduced?
ƒ Do the renovated buildings conform to new performance requirements? And
advanced quality standards?
ƒ Can these buildings meet the growing challenges of the present?
ƒ Any other Physical Aspects: ...

ƒ How is the project planning and decision-making organized?

ƒ Are all groups of actors involved?
ƒ How long did the process take, in total and by phase?
PROCESS

ƒ What tools were used to prepare, to develop, to implement, to monitor, and to

provide feedback (if any)?
ƒ Are different activities/procedures coordinated?
ƒ Is there a mechanism to monitor cost and quality?
ƒ What was done well and what went wrong?
ƒ Are new approaches of management being utilized?
ƒ What factors might affect the functioning/efficiency of the process?
ƒ Any other Management Aspects: ...

The following is a proposed tentative list of items to be included in a typical evaluation of

reconstruction schemes:
Qualities Aspects of the rebuilt Physical Environment
ƒ Accessibility and circulation
ƒ Structure of public, semi-public, and private functions
FUNCTIONAL

ƒ Functional efficiency, flexibility, resilience, ...

ƒ Spatial division, organisation, subdivision, ...
ƒ Territoriality, privacy and social contact
ƒ Physical well-being and human comfort
ƒ Environmental quality and performance
ƒ Other:
ƒ Visual qualities
ƒ Continuity of character and identity
AESTHETIC

ƒ Order, style, articulation and complexity

ƒ Representational qualities: Authenticity
ƒ Symbolic and semiotic value
ƒ Value as cultural history and heritage
ƒ Other:
ƒ Renovated and new amenities
ƒ Extended use and support services
TECHNICAL

ƒ Safety factors (internal, external, public, ...)

ƒ Constructional aspects, and building physics
ƒ Environmental friendliness
ƒ Sustainability parameters
ƒ Other:
ƒ Social Image and liveable spaces/places
ƒ Complementarities and integration
ECONOMIC

ƒ Demographic structure: Citizens shift, filtering and gentrification

SOCIO-

ƒ Investment costs, Exploitation costs

ƒ Valuation of restored properties
ƒ Time factor: investment, length of period and impact
ƒ Public and private linkages and regulations
ƒ Other:

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The above proposal is an attempt to re-visit the theories and learn from real experiences. The
technique is to enlist the different parameters for assessment of cultural relevance of renovation
schemes and projects. Classifying these parameters under specific sets with clear sub-headings
would help analyse each aspect. This is suggested as a simple mechanism to test aims and
objectives, and whether expectations are fulfilled and aims actually achieved. Such classification could
draw attention to positive and negative effects, in addition to strengths and weaknesses. Most
importantly, it helps underscore the factors most relevant to success or failure. It thus could be viewed
as a tool to guide subsequent steps and actions, and to further enhance the roles of various
participants.

5. Conclusion: Cultural Continuity and Perception of Value

The review of local identity, combined with an evaluation outlook, presented in this research allows
lessons to be learnt. It could lead to further insight, and to an improvement in quality of programming,
planning, and managing of the process of reconstruction and revival of built environments. The
reasons for evaluating cultural appropriateness could be both ideological and economic. There can
also be scientific goals: e.g. inferring additional cultural attributes, formulating new theories, and
developing suitable tools. There may also be subsidiary goals derived from these main ones, e.g.
psychological objectives: allowing people to express enthusiasm or dissatisfaction.
The objectives are numerous. They include determining whether expectations were fulfilled, goals
reached, drawing attention to effects (both intended and unpredicted), understanding revitalization
dynamics, and providing material on which to base improvements. More gains are envisaged in the
way of theoretical development, design guidance, policy recommendations and database reference.

Like many systems adopted by heritage management agencies worldwide, four steps need to be
followed to determine the cultural value:
ƒ Determine which factors are to be taken into account by the assessment;
ƒ Measure the relevant variables;
ƒ Evaluate the outcome of those measurements; and
ƒ Assign weights according to the importance of each different factor.
Such multi-criteria method makes it possible to reach a weighted conclusion based on a number of
qualities each of which is given the importance it deserves (Figure 6).

B C
Figure 6. A multi-criteria method to determine the cultural value/appropriateness is needed, based on weighting
of a number of qualities, while taking into account the diverse criteria held by actors [such as A. Street
Users; B. Traffic Management by Controllers; and C. Investors and Developers] and avoiding biased
views or group-specific requirements. (Source: Authors, 2010)

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 Any such review of cultural appropriateness must into take account the diverse criteria held by actors,
and avoid any biased views or group-specific requirements. In conclusion, the value of cultural
appropriateness could be defined as: the achievement of qualities that enable to satisfy needs and
perceptions, including the way in which individual attributes are related, balanced and integrated into a
seamless scheme, with specific physical and management aspects.

Bibliographical References

[1] BUTINA-WATSON, Georgia and BENTLEY, Ian. Identity By Design. Oxford: Elsevier
Butterworth-Heinemann, 2007. ISBN
[2] MARTINEZ-GARRIDO, Lourdes (2008) Beirut Reconstruction: A Missed Opportunity for Conflict
Resolution, in Al-Nakhlah: The Fletcher School Online Journal on Southeast Asia and Islamic
Civilization. Medford, MA.: Fletcher School, Tufts University, Fall 2008, pp. 1-15.
[3] SALIBA, Robert. Beirut 1920-1940 Domestic Architecture Between Tradition and Modernity.
Beirut: The Order of Engineers and Architects, 1998.
[4] SALIBA, Robert. Beirut City Center Recovery: The Foch-Allenby and Etoile Conservation
Area. Gottingen: Steidl Publishers, 2004.
[5] SALIBA, Robert. Beyrouth Architectures aux Sources de la Modernite 1920-1940. Marseille:
Parentheses, 2009 (in French).
[6] SHAYYA, Fadi. At the Edge of the City: Reinhabiting Public Space Toward the Recovery of
Beirut's Horsh Al-Sanawbar, 1st Edition. Beirut: Discursive Formations, 2010.
[7] TRAWI, Ayman. Beirut: The Wars of Destruction and The Perspectives of Reconstruction.
Beirut: Anis Commercial Printing Press, 2003.
[8] VAN DER VOORDT, Theo JM, and VAN WEGEN, Herman BR. Architecture in Use. Oxford:
Elsevier Architectural Press, 2005, pp. 141-168.
[9] www.solidere.com/project/overview.html
[10] whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/lb

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