Beirut Living port transforms risk spaces into spaces of trust

The Beirut Living port reconstruction project was developed by a team of the Gradplan Moscow within the international competition organized by the Phoenix Prize. The award was established by the IDAR-Jerusalem Association to find ways to transform risk spaces, into spaces of trust, and challenge boundaries and obstacles. The concept submitted for the competition combines symbolic and practical elements. The architects identified 7 specific zones including a memorial park, social housing, a multilevel container terminal and a water treatment facility. Thus, the port turns into a multifunctional hub, including a duty for international trade and politics. Processed traditional aspects of urban concepts: zoning, landscaping, traffic distribution, and height regulations. Pedestrian walkway nets are shown in a separate schemes. Made economic (estimations) calculations of step by step implementation of the project with a forecast of the cost and payback. The project aims not only to help the city form an integrated vision of the coastal area, but to also embrace modernism without losing traditional values. An important symbolic decision of the project was the use of the word "life" in Arabic script as an element structuring the plan of the memorial park. Moreover, one of the accents of the coastal panorama will be the preserved ruins of the exploded silo. Furthermore, progressive technologies in the cargo part of the port is envisioned. As part of the sustainability agenda, the establishment of an aquatic ecosystem research center is proposed. Solar panels, reduced boat speeds, and the regulation for sustainable oyster harvesting and fishing are also proposed. Sustainable communities 1) Heat-island effect reduction: • Building and street surface shadings (blinds, louvers, tents, street awnings, bench canopies); • Sun radiation deflection (reflective materials; light/white painted horizontal surfaces; light scattering facade panels); • Surface pavement to release moisture into the atmosphere (porous materials allowing evaporation and reducing storm water runoff); • Surface greenery (roofs, facades, parks); • Cooling roofing materials - (a) concrete and clay tiles painted with light colors to reflect heat; (b) composite metal from recycled materials. 2) Thermal microclimate control inside the buildings: • Closed loop building with insulated thermal mass around green atrium yard; • Passive cooling and wind rose orientation to consider prevailing winds, with up-high window openings to reduce heat wave inside; • Sea oriented full-size windows to increase active cross-air circulation; • Roof overhangs for sun control; • Storage rooms along the facade walls with livable rooms closer to the inner atrium. 3) Renewable energy for port: • Solar panels on 1) warehouses roofs and on 2) residential, public buildings for water heating and alternative electricity. 4) Port waste, water and clean air management: • Greenery and vertical screens as buffers between the city and port; • Solid waste treatment plant; • Desalination plant; • A «virtual arrival» method for ships to convey congestion info, reduce power spending and carbon footprint near port. 5) Marine life preservation: • Oysters farm development in phases as a natural water system filtration and reef barrier recreation; • Safe boating for all ships to protect sea animals; • Responsible fishing. Area 1 - Mixed use (functionally integrated spaces): Green residential clusters (mid- and high-level apartments for rent); Business facilities/offices for lease (city oriented); Hotels and community centers (daycares); Healthcare facilities. Area 2 - Cultural center (stadium & music hall) Music hall as a recreational hub to support multicultural city; Educational center (wellness, sports, family activities-oriented zone); Multifunctional stadium with cafes and easy access for tourists and citizens; Marina boating piers offering fishing trips and daily cruises. Area 3 - Waterfront park and memorial Waterfront parks, symbolizing “Life” (in Arabic); Educational space with artificial oyster’s farm and future shoreline farms to implement the ways of coastline erosion prevention (in light of ocean level rising); Memorial “Park of Lights” easy connected with port-related and cultural centers; Old Silo transformed into monument of lightweight metal structure with backlight; Area 4 - Passenger ships pier and transportation HUB Customs check-point; Port-centric logistics administration; Shopping malls with accessible bus tours (for local, regional, and international trade); Area 5 - New Silo & Water treatment facilities New larger Silo storage infrastructure; Automated handling silo equipment; Stable operations (tower system, aeration system, bucket elevator, cylinder cleaning sifter); Desalination and solid waste treatment plants. Area 6 - affordable housing Affordable housing for leasing with green zones. Area 7 - Multi-level container terminal & Warehouses A «layer-to-cell» system, with «cell-guides» to put containers into place layer after layer; A «digital twin system» - unloading ship in phases from deeper water to shallow water near port; «Auto moor» - rope free mooring with vacuum pads supplied by port; Hydrogen-powered tugs to reduce emissions near the port. Warehouses as an organized load center network; High capacity inland freight corridor consisting of: 1) road service system with automated cranes/vehicles 2) rail corridors with shuttle service to reduce truck congestion.