PUBLIC SPACES, VALUES, AND NEEDS

Abstract

While cities are expanding, public space is retiring worldwide. In recent decades many Middle East cities have undergone massive transformations; however, the quality of public spaces of the new globalized cities has been often neglected, although new needs and new ways of living are currently searching for new typologies of public spaces. Particularly in Lebanon, in 1990, after fifteen years of war, the Government developed an urban reconstruction plan to rebuild downtown Beirut, completely destroyed. The plan promoted the idea of building a new contemporary Beirut as the capital of the Middle East, a new city with towers, malls, commercial areas, without considering the life quality of Lebanese citizens and their social needs of new public spaces. The main research problem is the claimed need for public spaces from Lebanon's inhabitants that are currently unavailable. The paper's main aim is to promote the values of social places that can help address pressing challenges like social segregation and equity and urban regeneration processes that affect the population's life. Additionally, public space has enormous potential by strategically supporting cities' economic, environmental, and social agendas. The research methodology has been developed by conducting a series of interviews and a literature survey about the need and values of public spaces in Lebanon. The research has highlighted the transforming needs and values of public spaces that follow the transformation of Lebanese society. The research has identified some typologies of spaces currently required to improve the built environment's quality and promote higher living standards.