Integrated Coastal Area Management in Lebanon

The Presentation 1. The Current State of Lebanon’s Coastline 2. Our vision for Lebanon’s Coastal Area

The Current State of Lebanon’s Coastline Lebanon does not have a national plan regarding coastal zone management Lebanon does not have a national plan regarding coastal zone management Any positive work on the coast is done on a small scale by NGOs and limited government programs Any positive work on the coast is done on a small scale by NGOs and limited government programs After the civil war in Lebanon, the focus of reconstruction was on basic infrastructure rehabilitation (e.g. roads) After the civil war in Lebanon, the focus of reconstruction was on basic infrastructure rehabilitation (e.g. roads)

The Current State of Lebanon’s Coastline Buildings on the sea, Concrete beaches: Mass tourism projects Mass tourism projects Privatization of the sea Privatization of the sea Urban concentration around the coastline, negative impact on the coastal zone Urban concentration around the coastline, negative impact on the coastal zone

Vision for the Lebanese coastal area What we want to see… Sustainable Development Sustainable Development Olive press

Vision for the Lebanese coastal area What we want to see… Local Empowerment: economic, cultural and environmental significance of coastal areas Local Empowerment: economic, cultural and environmental significance of coastal areas

Vision for the Lebanese coastal area What we want to see… Assessment and Management: Assessment and Management: (water protection, land-use management, cultural heritage protection) (water protection, land-use management, cultural heritage protection)

Vision for the Lebanese coastal area What we want to see… Clean, public and FREE beaches Clean, public and FREE beaches Beaches maintained by the public through their awareness (mentioned earlier) Beaches maintained by the public through their awareness (mentioned earlier)

Vision for the Lebanese coastal area What we want to see… protecting seawater from ALL pollution, to swim without fear protecting seawater from ALL pollution, to swim without fear

Vision for the Lebanese coastal area What we want to see… Managing urban areas around the coast to improve living standards Managing urban areas around the coast to improve living standards Preserving the natural landscape Preserving the natural landscape Downtown Beirut: Reclaimed after the war and turned into a commercial/touristic site

Vision for the Lebanese coastal area What we want to see… Industries moved away from the sea Industries moved away from the sea

Vision for the Lebanese coastal area What we want to see… Preventing further mass tourism projects, encouraging eco- tourism projects. Preventing further mass tourism projects, encouraging eco- tourism projects. A woman from Ramlieh village selling traditionally-made homemade food

One Man’s Vision for a coastal area in Lebanon A Cedar on the sea Eco-tourism? Exploitation? Exploitation?