The “In-Between” Development and Heritage The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure on the Old Town of Batroun

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Cover image: aerial view of Barcelona, Spain. Photo by Logan Armstrong on Unsplash
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Published: Dec 31, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32891/jps.v8i2.1595
Keywords:
social values urban conservation socio-economic practices intangible heritage heritage revitalisation

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Tarek Teba
University of Portsmouth
Namitta Merchak
Lebanese American University
Rachid Chamoun
Lebanese American University

Abstract

Batroun is a historic Mediterranean coastal city in North Lebanon and exemplar for long-term impact of haphazard urban expansion on (in-)tangible heritage. The long-term development of transport infrastructure has contributed to Batroun’s contemporary urban structure and the weak connections between its entities and with the sea. As a result, Batroun’s old town is gradually disconnecting from the coastline and inland developments, and its traditional socioeconomic practices are declining. This has triggered negative spatial, social and economic outcomes on the town’s public spaces and identity.
This paper, therefore, seeks to evaluate the impact of infrastructural development on the social, economic, and spatial aspects of the historic town of Batroun. It investigates the opportunities that arise from the city’s cultural heritage landscape and how these opportunities inform revitalising the lost socio-economic values and identity of the old town. For this purpose, field observations were conducted to investigate Batroun’s urban and spatial setting. Also, Interviews were conducted with stakeholders, experts and local communities in order to define problems and their impact on (in-)tangible heritage from top-down and bottom-up perspectives. By mapping findings, this research assesses the consequences of a developed transport infrastructure on everyday life and the town’s historic built environment.
The heritage of Batroun has been seen as a barrier to the city’s development, and the regeneration of the old town has largely focused on the preservation of tangible dimensions, ignoring the contribution of intangible heritage settings to the revival of the old town and its socio-economic practices. Understanding Batroun’s heritage capacities and contemporary social values can facilitate the way for local stakeholders and communities to inform the revitalisation process. Thus, inclusive and collaborative approaches and new tools of inclusion can improve heritage-informed regeneration strategies and help define appropriate infrastructure for a resilient development of the historic built environment.

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How to Cite
Teba, T., Merchak, N. and Chamoun, R. (2023) “The ‘In-Between’ Development and Heritage: The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure on the Old Town of Batroun”, The Journal of Public Space, 8(2), pp. 41–68. doi: 10.32891/jps.v8i2.1595.
Issue
Vol. 8 No. 2 (2023): Research Perspectives
Section
Articles
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Author Biographies

Tarek Teba, University of Portsmouth

Dr. Tarek Teba is an Associate Professor in Architectural Heritage at University of Portsmouth and the Chair for ICOMOS UK Digital Technology Committee. Tarek leads MA Architecture: Building and Heritage Conservation and co-chairs the University of Portsmouth Heritage Hub. Tarek’s research concerns the conservation of tangible and intangible heritage through creating the balance between contemporary values and historic, aesthetic and cultural values. Tarek explores methodological approaches to preserve the cultural and contemporary social values embedded in heritage assets and cities, using cultural mapping as an informing tool as well as creative practices and digital heritage approaches as a vehicle to deliver heritage identification and development strategies.

 

Namitta Merchak, Lebanese American University

Miss Namitta Merchak is a Lebanese Architect and Urban Designer, currently a Teaching Fellow at the Lebanese American University. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and a Master's Degree in Urban Design from the American University of Beirut. Namitta's professional journey spans diverse projects in architecture and interior design, showcasing her expertise in both conceptualization and execution. Her research interests focus on integrating urban design theories into practical solutions for historic and contemporary urban environments. Namitta collaborates with local authorities on large-scale urban projects, reflecting her commitment to shaping vibrant and sustainable communities. As an architect, urban designer, educator, and researcher, she continues to leave a significant mark on the architectural landscape of Lebanon and beyond.

Rachid Chamoun, Lebanese American University

Dr Rachid Chamoun started as founding director of the School of Architecture and Design at the Lebanese American University (LAU) in 1992, and established and developed the Urban Planning Institute (UPI) in 1995. As a faculty of architecture and design, with over 32 years of academic experience in leadership roles, Dr Chamoun have served various scales of social and urban communities at large. His coursework has had a growing focus on community building projects and innovative contemporary architecture and design trends. His approach to research is built on a sustainable framework towards promoting and strengthening civil peace and human rights in the world community. Dr Chamoun current network has extended to the global community, encompassing a broad spectrum of scientists, planners, architects, political scientists and other scholars with original views on interdisciplinary education. His regular involvement with the global academic community has allowed him the opportunity to participate in international conferences, seminars, workshops and structure strong affiliations with national and international universities and institutes. Dr Chamoun serves as an advisor to the Lebanese Minister of Tourism for International Relations and a Board Member of the World Association of Tangible and Intangible cultural heritage (WATCH).

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