Overview and Background

The Rebuilding Beirut initiative grew out of a partnership between CWP, the Beirut Urban Lab at the American University of Beirut, and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. It was launched in response to the catastrophic 2019 port explosion in Beirut and brought together more than 150 experts in post-disaster reconstruction from around the world — including Chile, Thailand, and other countries — to identify how to promote people-centered post-disaster planning in a context marked by limited state capacity and deep sectarian divisions.

Summary

Urban disasters, whether caused by natural events, human actions, or both, often deepen existing inequalities. Historically marginalized communities tend to suffer the greatest losses. Meanwhile, resources for recovery and rebuilding frequently flow faster and in greater amounts to groups already advantaged by income, wealth, race or ethnicity, political power, or access to opportunity.

Even after major investments in rebuilding, post-disaster frameworks and emergency responses often fail to protect underserved communities. In some cases, they worsen living conditions or increase vulnerability to future shocks.

The first CWP initiative to explore these themes was a collaboration with the Beirut Urban Lab at the American University of Beirut. Through a series of working group meetings held from November 2020 to January 2021, and in collaboration with local institutions, international experts, and global organizations, it focused on how to center community needs in the reconstruction of Beirut after the August 4, 2020, port explosion.

The blast exposed and amplified preexisting vulnerabilities present in the areas affected, including increased displacements of residents, uncontrolled gentrification, growing inequality, neglected infrastructure, and an absence of effective public agencies and spaces. 

These gatherings identified and recommended concrete interventions that should be taken up by international organizations involved in reconstruction efforts, the government of Lebanon, and NGOs working on reconstruction efforts.

CWP’s report, Rebuilding Beirut: A Roadmap for an Equitable Post-disaster Response, published in February 2023, outlines key priorities and guiding principles for future post-disaster planning.