The document summarizes an urban intervention project called "Reconnect" that aims to reconnect the neighborhood of Karm El Zeitoun in Beirut on both the macro and micro scales. On the macro scale, it connects the neighborhood to its surrounding context, while on the micro scale it enhances living conditions for inhabitants. The project focuses on strategies like greening, connectivity, accessibility, and sustainability. Diagrams and plans presented include a master plan, sections, and perspectives of the proposed design which includes a green amenity spine, reduced car access, shuttle bus service, and other improvements.

1. Task 6 – Reconnect
Group 4 || Prof. Jim Roche 1 || Hala El Balaa 2, Liliana Halwani 2, Başak
Işık 3, Sana Shughry2
1TU Dublin
2Lebanese American University
3KU Leuven
Lebanese American University, June 28-July 6, 2019​

2. Karm El Zeitoun
Concept
• Reconnect is an urban intervention that aims at reconnecting
karm el zeitoun on two scales: on the macro scale, where it
connects karm el zeitoun to its context and through the micro
scale which enhances the living conditions of its inhabitants
• The sustainability of the project extends into the micro scale, with
the functional greeneries expanding into the streets of the
neighborhood.

3. Karm El Zeitoun
Location

4. Karm El Zeitoun
Location

5. Karm El Zeitoun’s
Position according to Burj Hammoud

6. Analysis
Morphology

7. Analysis
Street section

8. Observations
Cars occupy the ground floor of the streets,
leaving less space for the pedestrians.

9. Observations
Inhabitants use their building facades to hang
their laundry. The lack of space on the interior
forces them to expand to the exterior of their
houses. They then exhibit unintentionally their
belongings.

10. Observations
The use of streets as public spaces for
interaction. People in Karm el Zeitoun enjoy
outdoor living, but lack outdoor spaces.

11. Observations
Due to the lack of urban furniture, they tend to
rest on the existing steps, which have been
created by the residence to provide access to
the dwellings.

12. Observations
The physical edge of the river and the highway
isolate Karm el Zeitoun from its context, leaving
it as a floating island.

13. Observations
Residents use curtains and other materials to
provide privacy.

14. Observations
Contaminated Beirut river decreases the
chances of its sustainable use. The
contaminated river also makes the area less
inviting.

15. Strategies

16. Diagrams
Greening

17. Diagrams
Connectivity | Accessibility

18. Diagrams
Cars | Parking | Shuttle bus service

19. Diagrams
Sustainability

20. Master Plan | 1:1200

21. Master Section
Zoomed out

22. Section
Zoomed in | The intervention on the river

23. Model
The intervention

24. Primary Street
Plan + Section

25. Primary Street
Plan + Section
• Green amenity spine of Karm El Zeitoun
• Minimal car access | drop off only
• Store extension: market place
• Regular shuttle bus service
• Service deliveries
• Emergency access
• Waste collections

27. Secondary Streets
Elevation

28. Secondary Streets
Plan + Section

29. Secondary Streets
Perspective

30. References

31. References
Example of street waste bin storage