بيروت

“Beirut, metropolis marred by conflicts”

Audio | Visual Observations
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Beirut, covering an area of merely 67 km2, portrays a compact urban landscape. Despite its small size, the city boasts a significant population of nearly 2.5 million residents, signifying a high population density within its borders. Flânering the city evokes the sensation of transitioning between multiple unconnected urban spaces. Each possesses its unique tales of grief, each has something to say about its present that cannot get rid of the past. In a fragile urban periphery, witnessing conflicts requires minimal effort. All types of conflicts can be easily observed, encompassing ethnic, socio-economic, land-use, and prominent internal/external political conflicts. Equally significant is the conflict between the past and the present, which should not be overlooked.

I believe Beirut’s urban environment does not exhibit homogeneity as a city. Instead, it comprises diverse neighborhoods or small towns, characterized by an intricate urban and cultural fabric that may appear frail. Paradoxically, this intricate mix somehow functions, and the city has remarkably derived its identity from this urban heterogeneity. Yet, the state of urban heterogeneity in Beirut is characterized by a complex and dynamic mix of social, cultural, and economic diversity. Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, has a long history of being a melting pot of different cultures, religions, and ethnicities. This diversity is reflected in the urban fabric of the city, with various neighborhoods and districts showcasing.