RECLAIMING THE PUBLIC DOMAIN

Private appropriation of the waterfront is a majorproblem of the Lebanese coast. Private encroached onthe public domain continues because of the inabilityof public authorities to confront market forces andinfluential business enterprises. The outcomethreatens to overtake the entire Beirut Waterfrontdepriving public usage and accessibility to the seaon the one hand and destroying natural marine andcoastal systems on the other. Ramlat al-Bayda is aparticular case of this "anti-social" waterfrontdevelopment trend which is based on private effortsto control, exploit and benefit from public lands.The case of Ramlat al-Bayda requires alternativeurban design strategies that enable private schemesto develop under precautionary measures that ensurepublic accessibility and use. The aim of the researchwork is to develop urban design guidelines to controland direct private development to benefit the publicand enhance the ecological well being of the waterfront.