ABOUT THE PANEL

Cultural Heritage makes a key contribution to the development of cities. It has often been the breeding milieu for creative uses, which in turn, bring new audiences into their neighborhoods, multiply their value and ultimately, increase the cultural and economic offer.

Untapped historic districts in cities around the globe have often been magnets for creative economies, due to their combined potentials of cheap rent, proximity to the center, and cultural heritage assets. However, in the context of South Mediterranean cities, many such areas are in a vulnerable position due to the lack of protection and policies that activate them in a proper manner. Yet in such heritage-sensitive contexts, creative entrepreneurship could provide the opportunity for positive preservation through adaptive reuse, community engagement, and neighborhood upgrading processes.

When they become part of a city-wide development strategy, such entrepreneurial practices not only become a tool for a value-driven urban renewal but also result with “creative spillovers” that contribute to the emergence to innovative forms of collectivity; from communal uses of space/resources/services, to the rise of a new civic economy that contribute to a shared prosperity… However, when left without regulations and incentives, such processes pair with displacement mechanisms and become a motor for gentrification, social inequalities and marginalization for resident communities.

The panel brings together three cities to reflect on the connection of cultural heritage, the creative economy and urban development, through a comparative outlook of the revitalization of three historic neighborhoods: Mar Mikhael in Beirut, the Walled City in

Nicosia and the Cabañal district in Valencia.

The panel will look at their respective development catalysts and processes, in order to trace parallels between:

1-the historical development each neighborhood has followed, its challenges and the specific conditions that influence its development (political, economic, social, cultural, physical, infrastructure, urban facilities)

2- The role of cultural heritage as a catalyst for urban revitalization, the re-appropriation

process of historic assets; and the employed strategies/instruments.

3- The incurring urban change, shifts in public regulations and private practices,

And finally

4- The resultant collectives and their different manifestations in each neighborhood.

In conclusion, the panel will draw on the three neighborhoods’ shared conditions to

discuss transferrable lessons for urban revitalization in vulnerable historic districts; as

well as the conditions that enable the creative economy in Beirut to become a positive

tool for heritage preservation, urban regeneration and the reinvention of new collectives

in the city

PANEL PROGRAM (11.00-13.00)

11.00: Introduction | Creative Collectives | Ms Sandra Frem

11:10 Introduction of the three case-studies: Mar Mikhael, Nicosia, Valencia | Mr Georges Zouein

11.15: Nicosia Walled City Bi-Communal Master Plan | Mrs. Athina Papadopoulou 

The walled city of Nicosia has been divided during the war in two sections separated by a « green-line » that is still there, bringing the city to decay. As a response, the Municipality of the walled city has embarked in a long-term investment program- The Bi-communal Master Plan -to rehabilitate and regenerate it. The plan has introduced creative industries (arts, infographics, design, crafts) in dedicated parts, restored several commercial quarters and equipped them to accommodate creative industries, and rehabilitated

other parts for housing purposes.

11.40: Special Protection Plan for the Cavanal district, Valencia | Ms. Eva Raga and Fran Azorin

Starting as a fishermen housing neighborhood, The Cavanal district in Valencia has a specific urban pattern of elongated plots separated by narrow streets and all facing East with its narrow sides. After evolving into a low-income residential district, its urban regeneration started in the late 20th century, when well-to-do youth, artists, architects and the like have begun living and buying space there.

This is now reviving the district without destroying its pattern or character; due to the urban regulations and

the resilience of its inhabitants. This case study will be presented by team members of EDUSI of

the neighborhood and collaborators of the Special Protection Plan for the district.

12.05: Urban Regeneration in Mar Mikhael, Beirut | Georges Zouein and Nizar Hariri

Mar Mikhael, is a neighborhood on the Northeastern border of Beirut. It has met several urban transformations that continue to affect it, from the arrival of Armenian refugees in 1922, to the rural to urban displacements in the 1930s and the wave of immigration in response to conflicts during civil war, which shaped its working-class population and small businesses economy. The population of origin of the neighborhood is now mainly composed of elderly long-time residents, with 50% of the population being over 55 years old. Since 2008, the neighborhood underwent a new cycle of change due to the arrival of creative youths who settled there because of cheap prices and available spaces at low rent. Real estate investments followed, with bars, restaurants, and other recreational activities. The presentation will

address the lack of appropriate urban regulations that enable a continued presence and growth of the

creative cluster in Mar Mikhael while protecting the right to the city and its services to the local residents.

12.30: Summary of salient ideas, moderation and discussion on transferable lessons | Ms Sandra Frem

and Mr Georges Zouein

Reflecting on the three different urban dynamics of community-led urban change with the presence of

regulations and strong social structure (Valencia), municipality-led urban change (Nicosia), and market-led

urban change (Mar Mikhael).

PEOPLE

Beirut Design Week | panel curator

Ms. Sandra Frem (platau) | panel co-organizer, moderator

Mr Georges Zouein (Gaia Heritage) | panel co-organizer, moderator, presenter Mar Mikhael Case Study

Mr Nizar Hariri (OURSE) | workshop co-organizer, presenter, Mar Mikhael Case Study

Mrs. Athina Papadopoulou (Nicosia Municipality) | presenter, Nicosia Case Study

Ms. Eva Raga (EDUSI) | presenter, Valencia Case Study

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