In 2019, the Lebanese parliament passed a law submitted by deputy Fouad Makhzoumi establishing “The Protection of Horsh Beirut”. What is this law and what are its reprecussions? This law brings us back to the exclusionary classist nature of the state’s view of public spaces and their users, especially since the Horsh is supposed to be the destination of those who cannot afford the cost of private spaces. In addition, the limitations of the activities proposed in the law restrict the Horsh’s ability to accommodate the various social and spatial activities, whether classic, common or innovative. All this affects the Horsh’s role and its social and political value. What is public space really, if people are denied the right to use it?
Read details in Arabic here.
