social value

Policy Watch

Green light to destroy Beirut’s theater:

The Ministry of Culture removes protection under pressure from the Shoura Council and the owner's threats

The Ministry of Culture delisted lot number 243 in the Ain Mreisseh district (Beirut) from the general inventory list of historical buildings is a striking decision. This contradiction raises questions about the motives behind the decision, specifically that the lot includes Beirut Theater.
In this article, we review the details of the property and previous attempts to protect it, revealing an alarming threat on the theater and the adjacent buildings.

Policy Watch

The Ministry of Culture classifies buildings on the inventory list:

Preserving the urban heritage requires additional steps.

In a surprising step compared to previous years, which did not witness similar activity, the Ministry of Culture classified a number of buildings on the General Inventory of Historic Buildings. We offer an understanding of what is needed in terms of effective practical steps to preserve Lebanon’s urban spatial heritage.

From Dossier Research-Based Article

How can land and property taxes in Lebanon be fair?

The tax system plays a critical role in the social contract between the state and society, with individuals contributing taxes in exchange for the state’s commitment to societal well-being. However, recent global tax …

Investigation

Understanding the Right to the City and How Authorities Violate It

This article aims to analyze laws enacted by the Lebanese authorities between 2019 and 2022 in relation to the right to the city, which encompasses the right to housing, work, and other essential …

Publication

How to Protect Residents of the Neighborhoods Affected by the Beirut Port Explosion?

In the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020, residents of the affected neighborhoods in particular, have been excluded from topics related to their lives. Seeing the result of the …

Study

Think Housing: Affordable Schemes Towards an Inclusive Beirut

Read in Arabic here.

Campaign Lecture

Defending Housing Against Displacement Policies

Read in Arabic here.

Activity

Towards a Fair Tax System to Counter the Commodification of Land

Dialogue Series: The Social Value of Land

The real estate sector in Lebanon has historically been given a significant protection as one of the few productive and successful sectors in the national economy, knowing that property taxes are low and …

Activity

Defending the City Interest Against Private Property

Dialogue Series: The Social Value of Land

The social function of property recognizes the impact of private property on society. It is based on the premise that the interest of the city must prevail over individual property. This concept acknowledges …

Activity

Defending Social Spaces for an Equitable City

Dialogue Series: The Social Value of Land

Speakers in this session discuss the reclamation and preservation of social spaces threatened by real-estate speculation. They examine urban planning laws and the experiences of Bayt Beirut, Fouad Boutros, Beirut Theatre, Dalieh, and …

Project

Beyond Cement:

Towards an Alternative Vision for Chekka and Surrounding Towns

The towns of Chekka and Koura in North Lebanon have become prime examples of what public policies in Lebanon generate. The “Green Koura” in residents’ memories sat atop an abundance of groundwater and …

Publication

Planning in Lebanon:

Manufacturing Landscapes of Inequality

Urban planning and land use maps are a reflection/embodiment of the country’s larger policy choices and economic conceptions. It is the voice and instrument of authority, as it includes the political-economic vision and …