Rehabilitation of traditional human settlments in Matn, Lebanon
Résumé
With the escalating financial crisis in Lebanon since 2019 to present, a crucial segment of the Lebanese population is faced with a major challenge to access
housing and produce. This study explores the rehabilitation of abandoned traditional human settlements as well as a past agricultural activity by responding to questions such as why it is important and relevant today, under what conditions can the return for rehabilitation be possible, how we can we do this while complying with the four pillars of sustainability, and finally, if this can improve economic growth, social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and cultural rejuvenation in these villages. This thesis proposes a local sustainable community development program which is based on a self-sufficient economy, reinforces local culture and ensures social and environmental sustainability.
Data was gathered through on-site observations and interviews on 13 cases in eight villages in Matn, out of which four showed to be the most representative. An
exploratory and qualitative method was built to analyze the data through a SWOT diagram after identifying conditions for return, and by utilizing the Sherpa tool and VerSus wheel to recognize issues as well as strengths. The findings posed challenges in terms of sustainability on a territorial scale, economy, and governance, but also confirmed a great capacity on a cultural and environmental level to help attain the objective of an urgent and essential local sustainability development program that can eventually achieve a renaissance of Lebanon as the agricultural country it once was.
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