24 April 2007
BEIRUT: Downtown Baalbek is getting a contemporary facelift, and unearthing some ancient treasures along the way, as part of a project aimed at increasing the social economy of the historic city. Financed by the World Bank, Phase 1 of the Cultural Heritage and Urban Development project (CHUD) broke ground in fall 2005, repairing and restoring sidewalks, streets and houses in a way that honored their historical past. CHUD operates under the supervision of the Council of Development and Reconstruction and the Beirut-based Associate Consulting Engineers (ACE) oversees as general contractor.
CHUD focuses on restoring 200-300 year old buildings around downtown Baalbek and not the ancient ruins Baalbek is most renowned for.
"The purpose of the project is to build pedestrian access to the north entrance and south entrance to facilitate the access of pedestrians and avoid car traffic," said Antoine Abou Samra, a project manager from ACE.
Both entrance contracts are in cooperation with another firm, South for Construction.
Phase 1 includes a third, smaller, contract committed to the restoration of mud brick houses. There are currently five such houses receiving restoration under the contract with hopes of the traditional habitats becoming touristy treasures.
Over the last year and a half, CHUD has not only restored historic houses, it has also discovered forgotten treasures under the careful eye of the Directorate General of Antiquities (DGA).
Three large mosaics have been discovered nearly intact, and then recovered until archaeologists figure out how to move them without damaging or exposing the ancient artworks to excess sunlight.
Roman sarcophaguses, bones and pottery pieces have been found, as well as Roman pathways, irrigation systems and old foundations from houses over the last three centuries.
"The DGA has appointed supervisors to check every single stone that appears in the CDR excavations and has the authority to stop any machinery from digging whereby the contractor shall continue by hand digging in order to avoid any danger," explained Abou Samra.
Abou Samra puts the cost of Phase 1 at $5 million. The World Bank grant for Baalbek is $16 million, but this also includes work reserved for the Roman temples as well.
Private owners of the houses have little control over the outside work but some have seized the opportunity to revamp their interiors as well.
"The private owners and tenants have welcomed the restoration works and this has encouraged them to restore the inside and start their own construction," said Abou Samra.
Bassem Raad, a member of the Baalbek municipality, also welcomed the project.
"The project will be invigorating for the city and especially the old city; it protects the area and modernizes it ... helps tourism and the economy in the area," said Raad. "I am more than ready to help the World Bank if they decide to increase the size of the project to incorporate the rest of the city."
Mohammad Wehbe, a senior tour guide for the Roman ruins at Baalbek, expressed interest in CHUD but doubted whether the restoration of downtown Baalbek could compete with the Roman ruins.
"I don't think it will bring tourists here. The ruins bring tourists but if there is more to see in the city I'm sure they will stay longer," Wehbe said, adding that anything to help draw the tourists back is appreciated. When The Daily Star visited Baalbek last week, only two tourists were at the ruins.
Phase 2 is set to begin in the coming months and will include the development of several easily accessible parking lots as well as the recreation of Baalbek's old meat and vegetable market.
"Everybody wishes, particularly those outside the city center, that such developments would reach all off Baalbek," said Abou Samra who added that despite delays caused by last summer's war with Israel, Phase 1 was on time.
If all goes well, that wish could be fulfilled as the World Bank grant is open to extensions of future projects within Baalbek. CHUD is also operating development projects in Jbeil, Sidon, Tyre and Tripoli.
