Veranstaltungen

Reconstructing Neighborhoods of War: The Case of Beirut
Prof. Dr. Birgit Schäbler (University of Erfurt)

Abstract:

The talk looks at the sociological concept of neighborhood and how neighborhoods fare in war and reconstruction. It concentrates on Beirut, a city which experienced urbicide and domicide in 15 years of (internationalized) civil war, lasting from 1975 to 1990. The war had a profound impact on many of its neighborhoods, which were transformed into bounded war zones and militia enclaves. Beirut’s post-war reconstruction(s) were complex. This context serves as a backdrop for analyzing how local communities, activists, and state actors negotiate reconstruction processes. What can be learned from its example is that successful post-conflict reconstruction involves community participation and negotiation with state and other actors. The talk emphasizes the importance of preserving public spaces, memory, and mixed neighborhoods.