The Beirut Urban Lab mobilized to assist in the urban recovery of Karantina, one of the most vulnerable neighborhoods impacted by the Port’s explosion. We are working towards a bottom-up, inclusive, and holistic recovery that is people-centered, socially-just, and heritage-led. In order to put the project on track towards data collection, envisioning and designing of the recovery framework, the team adopted the Citizen Scientist methodology. The methodology aligns with the values and objectives of our people-centered and participatory urban recovery that considers local needs, practices, and culture.
The Beirut Urban Lab held a training which included a 2-day professional workshop that took place at AUB on Dec 14-15, 2020 and was followed by a two-day field training on Dec 21-22, 2020. The workshop addressed the project and its objectives, research methods, research ethics, and tools for conducting research. The Lab recruited and trained 12 local researchers who live in Karantina. The participants were selected from different age groups, gender, nationalities, educational levels and backgrounds, and religions. We tried to ensure the formation of a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the population diversity on the ground. The local researchers were compensated for their time and efforts.
Belonging, social/political activity, neighborhood conception, and neighborhood vision.
The citizen scientists asked the residents questions about the sense of belonging to the neighbourhood, their collective memories, spaces of significance, vision of post-blast Karantina, and other socio-economic questions for the individuals and households in Karantina.
