InfoAnda - Greed destroys Beirut's architectural legacy

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

China's Tencent buys US Riot Games majority stake | 6 February 2011
U.N. Security Council condemns Syria over massacre | | 28 May 2012
Morocco cafe bomb suspect posed as a hippie | | 7 May 2011

IBM begins Power server upgrade to battle HP, Sun | | 8 February 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Greed destroys Beirut's architectural legacy

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Greed destroys Beirut's architectural legacy Reuters - Friday, July 23 Send IM Story Print By Alistair Lyon, Special Correspondent BEIRUT - Like an endangered species, Beirut's elegant old buildings are staring at extinction. In a construction frenzy fuelled by a frothy economy and dollops of cash from Gulf Arab and Lebanese investors, new tower blocks are rising helter-skelter across the capital, many of them over the demolished ruins of its architectural heritage. A few conservationists are trying to save something from the wreckage, but in a city where money is king, it may be too late. "Beirut has become very ugly," lamented Rima Shehadeh, of the private Heritage Foundation. "It will go on, I know, but it will never have the charm it had before, never." She is compiling files to secure official protection for a few decaying Ottoman-era mansions in the Zokak al-Blatt quarter, hindered by red tape, corruption and lack of a conservation law. Some typical Lebanese houses with triple-arched windows, elaborate balconies and red-tiled roofs have survived, now dwarfed by the concrete apartment blocks hemming them in. Any sign of dereliction suggests that they are on death row. Soaring land prices have etched dollar signs into the eyes of Beirut's property owners. They have every incentive to sell old houses to developers, who flatten them to build high-rises, unconstrained by zoning regulations or respect for human scale. "It boils down to money," said Mona Hallak, an architect who works with Lebanon's oldest conservation association. The building boom has accelerated in the last couple of years as Lebanon emerged unscathed from the global recession which punished Gulf real estate sectors in Dubai and elsewhere. Lebanon, still reconstructing after its 1975-90 civil war, might seem a precarious haven for investment. Only four years ago, the Israeli air force was bombing southern Beirut into rubble during a war with Shi'ite Hezbollah guerrillas. The country flirted with renewed civil war in 2008. Now enjoying a respite from instability, the economy grew a startling 9 percent in 2009 and may manage 8 percent this year. HIGH-RISE HEAVEN Giant new buildings are piercing Beirut's skyline, none brasher -- or to its critics more hateful -- than the 50-storey Sama Beirut tower, set to be Lebanon's tallest at 200 metres. Amid the dust and din of construction, it is looming over the narrow streets, small houses and gardens that once made up an intimate corner of the Christian district of Ashrafiyeh. Many of Beirut's luxury tower blocks stand almost empty, the apartments owned by Gulf Arabs or Lebanese expatriates who only use them a few weeks a year. Ordinary Beirutis are priced out. "It's very sad," said Emily Nasrallah, an elderly novelist who has lived in the city for most of her adult life. "We are losing the neighbourhood, the fabric of the normal, natural life that people have always lived in Beirut." Some younger Lebanese are waking up to the abrupt changes in the texture of a city that is home to around 1.5 million people. Take Pascale Ingea, a shy, soft-spoken 33-year-old artist and teacher, who began a Facebook group called Stop Destroying Your Heritage in March in outrage over relentless demolitions in the traditional Ashrafiyeh quarter where she had grown up. "One day I had enough of being a passive citizen," she explained in her workshop loft in an old building. Ingea told how she had watched helplessly from her balcony as workers wrecked a splendid 19th-century building she had known since her childhood. "I had dreamed of buying this palace and restoring it and turning it into a fine arts academy." She collaborates with Naji Raji, 22, who races around Beirut like a self-appointed conservation vigilante, checking venerable buildings for hints of imminent demolition, photographing the evidence and contacting the culture ministry to intervene. "We are working really hard," he said, describing a struggle to outwit developers who choose odd times like Sunday nights to knock out interiors, swiftly turning old houses into skeletons. TOMBSTONE BLUES This month conservation groups launched an awareness campaign that features a picture of tombstones for recently demolished old buildings against a backdrop of dark skyscrapers. They have won support from Lebanon's youthful culture minister, Salim Warde, who is determined to halt the havoc. Any demolition order must now bear his signature. He is also pushing parliament to enact a law that would give tax breaks and other incentives to owners of heritage houses. "These buildings are part of our national treasures, of our identity, of who we are," Warde told Reuters. "So we're not destroying wood and stone, but a part of Beirut and a part of the architectural heritage that's been left to us to preserve." "We are the only Arab country that has not passed a law to preserve heritage houses," he said. "This is outrageous." Even if the law passes -- an earlier version has languished since 1997 -- it may take several years to implement, a time-lag that powerful, well-connected buyers of old houses may exploit. "I dream of seeing one intact street in Beirut in 20 years. It's really wishful thinking," said Hallak, the architect. She has spent 13 years fighting to save a single historic building, used by snipers during the civil war, and now, with French financial support, set to become an interactive museum. "What else can you do?" she shrugged. "Everything is for sale in this city -- history, identity, the soul of the city." Hallak argues for preserving vibrant old neighbourhoods, not just single buildings of particular architectural merit. "We need an urban cluster that maintains the soul of the city, with the gardens and houses and the people living in them, the whole ensemble," she said. "Individual houses are museums." Thirteen years ago her group listed four such neighbourhoods with 520 buildings worth preserving. "We know 70 of these have been destroyed. The rest are on the way," Hallak said. For architect and urban planner Simone Kosremelli, it is too late to salvage Beirut's heritage: a few jewels will survive, thanks to their appreciative owners, but the state has long ago missed the chance to buy up old buildings for public use. "Today this is impossible," she said, citing astronomical land prices beyond the reach of a cash-strapped government. Kosremelli said Lebanon should "minimise the catastrophe" by at least saving myriad old houses in mountain villages, where land is much cheaper and vernacular architecture could live on. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Chad backs Beshir, calls for end to Darfur crisis AFP - 23 minutes ago Summit rejects 'all accusations' against Beshir: official AFP - 54 minutes ago Monaco's playboy prince sets wedding date AFP - Friday, July 23 Beshir attends Chad summit as row rages over welcome AFP - Friday, July 23 UK-World Summary Reuters - 25 minutes ago News Search Top Stories GM to buy auto lender in bid to stoke sales German banking sector braces for stress test results S.Africa's Tutu withdraws from public life Health watchdogs sound alarm over TB/HIV deaths Storm threat may imperil BP battle to plug Gulf well More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Parachuting donkey shocks Russian beachgoers Beatles piano up for sale: auction house Bernanke warns of 'uncertain' economic outlook Monaco's playboy prince sets wedding date Lindsay Lohan carted off to jail More Most Viewed » Parachuting donkey shocks Russian beachgoers Paris Hilton caught with cannabis in handbag Germany's 'Octopus oracle' keeps perfect record More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Friday, 23 July 2010
EU envoys endorse sanctions against Iran
Berlusconi's coalition backs down on Italy wiretaps bill
Greed destroys Beirut's architectural legacy
German banking sector braces for stress test results
Strong US business interest in iPad: AT&T
Chavez breaks Colombia ties over rebel charges |
GM to buy auto lender in bid to stoke sales
US-TECH Summary
2 Americans killed in copter crash in Afghanistan
Mali confirms military action by border |
Mafia infiltrated rebuilding of Italian quake city
Baidu may press claims over hackers: U.S. judge
Hariri tribunal to accuse Hezbollah members: Nasrallah |
Pirate traders exploit Internet sales model : EU
Mubarak gives public speech after health rumors |
Health watchdogs sound alarm over TB/HIV deaths
Nokia profits drop, CEO wants exit talk to stop
US initial jobless claims rise more than expected
NY Times posts revenue growth, reversing slide
U.S. authorities say break Colombian drug ring |
Rocket attack kills 3 in Baghdad Green Zone |
Pressure mounts on Nokia CEO as Q2 earnings plunge
U.S. sends two Guantanamo detainees to Spain, Latvia |
Slovenians investigated for computer virus: report
Pilotless drones show new face of war at Farnborough
US resumes ties with Indonesian special forces
U.S. sanctions three Afghan financiers for Taliban
Nokia profits drop, CEO wants exit talk to stop
Ponting leads Australia revival against Pakistan
Pressure mounts on Nokia CEO as Q2 earnings plunge
US to resume ties with Indonesia's special forces
Japan's trainee programme 'human trafficking': lawyer
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt awarded damages over tabloid claim
Angry Foxconn chief warns on Taiwan investment plans
Baidu may press claims over hackers: U.S. judge |
Ponting joins Tendulkar in 12,000 club
Pirate traders exploit Internet sales model : EU |
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Freestyle dancer tWitch steps up into movies
Kevin the Possum halts Sydney monorail
Report asserts Mexican women exploited by US crab industry
Pacific islands seek UNESCO heritage honour
AIDS charity Life Ball raises 1.5 mln euros
Australian film probes mystery of dangling shoes
'Humiliated' British talent show reject sues TV show: report
Thriller with Natalie Portman to open Venice fest
Indian micro lender to launch IPO next week
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt awarded damages over tabloid claim
A Minute With: Guillermo del Toro at Comic Con
Simon Cowell sued by British Talent contestant |
Freestyle dancer tWitch steps up into movies |
Obama presses Iraqi leaders to end deadlock
Hariri tribunal to accuse Hezbollah members
'Terrorists' killed in Mauritanian raid
North Korea says U.S. military drills violate sovereignty |
Scotland refuses US Senate Lockerbie testimony
Unique coral reef spurs Mexico tourism battle
India develops world's cheapest "laptop" at $35
European banks face moment of truth
Kosovo independence declaration deemed legal |
'The Naked and the Dead' head for the Kindle
Microsoft sales up as firm rides out fiscal crisis
HP, Microsoft announces new tablet computer
Chavez cuts Colombia ties but fight seen unlikely |
US Fed vows to act if jobs market flounders
Microsoft reports record sales
Baidu hacker lawsuit can proceed in US court
U.S. blames fax for diplomatic gaffe over Russian |
Amazon profit soars but stock price sinks
Aid ships from Lebanon won't reach Gaza: Israel |
Twitter to fight outages with new data center
India develops world's cheapest "laptop" at $35
No ruling in hearing over Arizona immigration law
Kremlin aims to tighten screws on corrupt cops |
US to resume ties with Indonesia's special forces
FIFA clears Australia over World Cup bid
New China floods feared as Yangtze swells
Reform bills set for delay in noisy India parliament
N.Korea holds talks with UN Command on sunken ship
Pacific slum district a 'health risk' to residents: US Army
13 confirmed dead in China mine flood: media
Top Chinese negotiator to visit Taiwan
Thai drilling firm tells Indonesia to prove 'damage'
Protesters overshadow Australian PM's climate speech
Microsoft profit beats Street but stock unmoved |
Helen Mirren honors Harvey Pekar at Comic-Con
Lightning shuts Daesan, S.Korea refining, naphtha units
Australian model Miranda Kerr marries Orlando Bloom
US to freeze 100 suspect North Korean accounts: reports
India develops world's cheapest laptop at $35 |
Seoul shares rise 1.3 pct led by banks, techs
Pakistani c.bank buys 12.2 bln rupees of govt paper
Amazon profit misses as costs surge |
SK Energy says to expand battery mfg; JV with Vitol
Korea Hot Stocks-SK Energy gains after strong Q2 results
Air NZ fancies Queenstown Airport stake
Guillermo del Toro enters "Haunted Mansion"
PAKISTAN
PREVIEW-NZ central bank to raise rates for 2nd time next week
Seoul shares rise 1.3 pct led by banks, techs
MTV gets top marks for gay inclusion on shows
Baidu hacker lawsuit can proceed in US court
"Battle: Los Angeles" wows Comic-Con crowd
Helen Mirren honors Harvey Pekar at Comic-Con
Study shows inequalities in UK early deaths rising
Sister of Mel Gibson's ex under suspicion
"Salt" targets "Inception" at box office
Londoners rediscover 'trendy' ping pong
Australian model Miranda Kerr marries Orlando Bloom
Mel Gibson phone recording illegal, with exceptions |
Salt targets Inception at box office |
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt awarded damages over tabloid claim |
Sister of Mel Gibson's ex under suspicion |
MTV gets top marks for gay inclusion on shows |
Guillermo del Toro enters Haunted Mansion |
Helen Mirren honors Harvey Pekar at Comic-Con |
Battle: Los Angeles wows Comic-Con crowd |
Justin Bieber to guest star in TV crime drama CSI |
Australian model Miranda Kerr marries Orlando Bloom |
Israel to return impounded Gaza aid ships to Turkey
Dutch court fines company after I.Coast waste dump
17 injured in blast targeting Afghan candidate
North Korea threatens physical response to U.S. moves |
Former Taliban spokesman captured in Afghanistan
Ford posts $2.6bn profit in second quarter
Russia says ready to resume NATO military ties |
ARM signs new deal with Microsoft, shares leap
British recovery quickens with 1.1% quarterly growth
World trade to grow 10% in 2010: WTO
Thousands gather for Thai red rally before vote |
Fix budgets now, ECB chief tells top economies
Al Qaeda claims Yemen attacks, vows more strikes |
Ubisoft videogame sales nearly double
U.N. rights forum names team to probe Israel ship raid |
France, Mauritania in desert strike on al Qaeda |
Heiress Bettencourt relieved by ruling on daughter's lawsuit |
Israel to return impounded Gaza aid ships to Turkey |
Moody's warns of Hungary downgrade after IMF breakdown |
US wades into South China Sea disputes
U.S. won't move Marines from Japan by 2014: media |
Slain Calif. teen's sister urges killer to give up
US: Asia must resolve claims on disputed islands
Clinton denounces Myanmar's oppression at Asia meet
N.Korea threatens to respond to naval drills
China jails Uighur journalist for 15 years
Philippine typhoon death toll rises to 111
Apple's white iPhone 4 delayed, in latest headache |
Cambodians seek justice in "Killing Fields" verdict
Jazz singer Jarreau in critical condition in France
US singer Al Jarreau critically ill in French hospital
Amazon's weakness only for short term, say analysts |
Indian software exporter Wipro says profit up 31%
Popularity of morning-after pills fuels concerns in India
PREVIEW-Pakistani c.bank to keep rates steady for now
China's star blogger treads fine line
Deflation 'main threat' to Japan economy
ARM signs new deal with Microsoft, shares leap |
Jazz singer Jarreau in critical condition in France |
Bosnian Oscar-winner's film opens Sarajevo festival |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01