On January 31, the Minister of Public Works and Transport launched the website of the Directorate General of Urban Planning, providing citizens with access to information on urban planning procedures, required documents, and relevant laws.
While this is seen as a long-awaited move toward transparency and accountability, it is considered incomplete and does not absolve the Directorate of its core responsibilities. The Directorate and its Supreme Council are Lebanon’s primary bodies for urban planning, but the Council’s decisions are often made privately, which limits public participation and oversight and enables corruption and favoritism. Although publishing these decisions online could enhance transparency, the related webpage section is still under construction, raising concerns about whether it will be fully developed.
Additionally, while the digital transformation may simplify administrative procedures, it does not address the implementation of the National Physical Master Plan adopted in 2009. On the issue of post-war reconstruction following Israeli attacks, the former minister mentioned a draft law to expedite the rebuilding process. The Directorate has already initiated steps to create a special reconstruction register, though this section of the website is also still under construction. If completed, this could help streamline the reconstruction process, but questions remain about the Directorate’s broader role in sustainable urban planning and safety measures.
Read the full Policy Watch in Arabic.
