In a surprising step compared to previous years, which did not witness similar activity, the Ministry of Culture classified a number of buildings and plots in Beirut, the Shouf, Koura, and Batroun regions on the General Inventory of Historic Buildings, including 8 buildings in the Rmeil neighborhood in Beirut, the Beirut Port silos, the Fekhita Mill in Debbiyyeh, Qasr Abu Hnein site in Barja, the archaeological Tell Fadaous in Kfar Abida, and others.

But what are these plots and buildings, where are they located, and why were they included? In this commentary, we respond to this question and we focus on the Rmeil area, attempting to understand the current uses, condition, and type of occupancy of the buildings added there.

In examining the nature of the inventory and the international and Lebanese legal framework for heritage protection, we offer an understanding of what is needed in terms of effective practical steps to preserve Lebanon’s urban spatial heritage.

Read the full Policy Watch in Arabic.