The new Beirut Waterfront

On May 16th, Solidere announced opening of the new Beirut Waterfront to the public as the first bicycle lane in the city. According to The Daily Star, the lane would start at the Beirut Souks on Tripoli Street and pass through Patriarch Howayek Street in the direction of Beirut’s new maritime front, through Allenby Street, and back to the starting point.

Before getting too excited about it, access to the waterfront will be granted on Sundays only from 10 AM to 8PM! And that’s why I’m having mixed feelings about it, I’m glad we finally have a public space away from the pollution that we got used to, but opening it on Sundays only is sort of disappointing, why can’t they keep it open everyday?

Soliders is acting like someone who invites you over to his house, but then tell you beforehand that he will be kicking you out at 8PM.

Anyway, hoping we get a permanent access to the waterfront, I leave you with this cool video of the place made by Rawad El Hoyek.

New Beirut Waterfront from Rawad EL HOYEK on Vimeo.

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11 Responses to The new Beirut Waterfront

  1. Lara Zankoul June 3, 2010 at 10:26 am #

    Amazing entry, Im so happy to finally have a space for bicycle in Lebanon,but what is the reason for opening it only on Sundays?

  2. me June 3, 2010 at 10:36 am #

    I thought you did not like the New Dt Beirut, did you changed your mind or what?

  3. Rawad EL HOYEK June 3, 2010 at 10:42 am #

    thanks for sharing and putting a referral to my blog!

  4. Simon June 3, 2010 at 11:22 am #

    “Soliders is acting like someone who invites you over to his house, but then tell you beforehand that he will be kicking you out at 8PM.”

    Correction my friend, it’s like this:

    Soliders is acting like someone who invites you over to YOUR house, but then tell you beforehand that he will be kicking you out at 8PM.

  5. Rawad EL HOYEK June 3, 2010 at 4:04 pm #

    @Simon
    I digged up more info on the matter: “The marina was put at the Company’s disposal in 2002, as per its 1997 agreement with the State granting it the right to operate the marina and below corniche car park for a 50-year period.”
    Paragraph 5 – Page 1 from http://www.solidere.com/solidere/pdf/waterdist04.pdf

    So have some faith my friend, it’s gonna be your house by 2052!

  6. Armigatus June 4, 2010 at 12:44 am #

    I was so excited when I heard the news.

    However, reading about the ‘first bike lane,’ ‘environmentally-friendly transportation,’ ‘public space’ and ‘safe for children,’ I imagined :

    a) a long stretch of street that actually allows for commuting inside the city, as an alternative to transportation by car

    b) a concrete-free green space suitable for the people (children and adult alike) to run in and enjoy the nature.

    I was wrong on both sides.

    It is indeed a first step towards creating awareness for public spaces, and for sustainable transport, worth the applauds, but that is it.

    I am not impressed.

  7. Sareen Akharjalian June 4, 2010 at 10:28 am #

    I wish they would create some public parks in the downtown area as well. Or any area for that matter. We need some greenery in Beirut. We need a break from the gray concrete.

  8. Rami June 4, 2010 at 3:43 pm #

    @me
    I don’t hate the downtown, that’s my city, I hate what Solidere did to the downtown.
    And even if I hate Solidere, that doesn’t mean I should not go there or praise it when it does something good.

  9. Ammouret lebnen June 10, 2010 at 5:17 pm #

    Where is the waterfont? like the exsact place…

    Please leave a comment on my blog, I really want to check out this place when I am in Lebanon.

  10. Danielle June 16, 2010 at 12:34 pm #

    Question, will they be renting bikes on these Sundays, or are you just expected to somehow haul your bike, in your car, to the open air area..I agree with you Rami..downtown wasn’t always like this, it only recently became like this, so we should praise it for recognizing the importance of open air spaces in Beirut..it is a start!!

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