URBAN WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION THROUGH LANDSCAPE DESIGN ENHANCING SOCIAL-CULTURAL CONDITIONS OF EL-MINA, TRIPOLI

Abstract

The concept of waterfront revitalization has been a prominent notion in the field of urban planning and is considered an effective strategy to enhance deteriorated sites and inspire the identity and authenticity of communities. Nevertheless, there is no definite prescription for success when it comes to linking waterfront landscape design with improving the social and cultural site conditions in a deteriorating historical area. This paper examines the revitalization of the waterfront through greenway design in El-Mina, Tripoli, Lebanon in order to put emphasis on the local culture of the city and create socio-cultural opportunities for the area of study and better improve the quality of life of its residents. The research employs a mixed method approach, where both qualitative and quantitative methods are applied. The qualitative approach is based on theoretical study and the analysis of three case studies and the quantitative part of the study consists of both a survey and simulations to understand the various struggles and problems that the residents of the zone of study face and to find the optimum landscape design proposal that links the waterfront to the existing urban fabric along with sustainable environmental solutions to enhance the surrounding heritage context through the design of a Cultural Park that is applied on a lot by the city’s waterfront. A set of design recommendations regarding the connectivity of landscape waterfront spaces to heritage spaces were then issued and developed based on the synthesis of the simulation results and urban analysis.