Creating commons via adaptation: transforming Beirut’s post traumatic scenarios into new experiences

Abstract

Analysing contemporary architectural methods of dealing with abandoned buildings, and architects can create common grounds in divided cities, in this thesis, the case of Beirut. Forgetting is not an act of erasing memories but transforming them into new ones by removing the emotional responses that are produced by our recollection of these memories. Like memories in our brains, buildings that have been recognized as sites of traumatic events are held back in an endless cycle of recollection and repression of memories. Opposed to destruction and demolition, this thesis explores the historic, material, and structural value of preservation in sites of decay. Showing that neglected buildings can be a part of the urban life when rehabilitated and redesigned to serve the community well, to create a better social life for the residents where opportunities are created, social cohesion can be facilitated.