The City as a Machine

Abstract

With the state of Beirut’s current social, economic, and environmental infrastructure, its relationship with its inhabitants is at the tipping point of becoming uninhabitable. Beirut River, once a riparian river, now an empty canal, is an example of the outcome of this lacking infrastructure. So then how can regenerating Beirut River help inform its inhabitants of the political, social, and environmental issues that hinder their day to day lives. This research hypothesizes a key role for Beirut River, inviting the river to reclaim its natural r ole as a catalyst for the flourishing the city, by implementing environmental, social, and civic components along its spine. By Looking into our current relationship with the river, the issues we are facing, and how to go about them, new ideas will develop that will help guide the re purposing and regenerating of the currently unused infrastructure into a catalyst for energizing and educating the city and its people.