A Socioeconomic Development Plan: For Cohesion and Political Stability in Bab El Tebbeneh, Jabal Mohsen and Al Qobbeh
Developed By:
Beyond Group
In Partnership With:
Municipality of Tripoli, Lebanon
2014
A SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN: FOR COHESION AND POLITICAL STABILITY
IN BAB EL TEBBENEH, JABAL MOHSEN AND AL QOBBEH
Tripoli, the Northern capital of Lebanon has been experiencing recurrent cycles of violence and security problems since 2008. A recently implemented security plan as a result of a political agreement halted violence and paved the way for relative peace and security in the city. The municipality of Tripoli is now seeking to capitalize on the stable security situation to introduce new reforms. The municipality aims to restore its role, reinforce the rule of law, and secure economic prosperity and advance urban development.
The political conflicts in Lebanon and in the region have intensified fighting in Tripoli, thus affecting all aspects of life in the city. Tripoli's reputation was also highly affected; once a touristic destination for both foreigners and Lebanese, the city became a security zone where even local residents feared for their lives and safety.
The armed conflicts did not only have repercussions on Bab Al Tabbaneh, Jabal Mohsen and Al Qobben, where the battles and fighting hubs were concentrated. The six-year conflict also contributed to great material loss in the whole city and resulted in a large number of casual ties, bringing back memories of the Lebanese Civil War.
Historically, the areas of Bab Al Tabbaneh, Jabal Mohsen and Al Qobbeh were the prominent economic hub of Tripoli, where most of the trade activities took place, creating job opportuni ties for the local community and for Tripoli residents. However, the violent events that the city has experienced during the Civil War and more recently during the recurrent cycles of violence have hampered these regions' economic growth and turned it into the most impoverished areas in Tripoli and in Lebanon.
The last cycles of violence have exacerbated the living conditions of residents of Bab Al Tabbaneh, Jabal Mohsen and Al Qobbeh's and have clearly affected unemployment rates, job opportunities, salaries, health, mortality rates, the educational level, illiteracy rates and other indicators which required a quick and urgent intervention to help develop these areas specifically and the city of Tripoli in general. According to available figures, the bloody conflicts and subsequent security incidents in Tripoli have led to:
The displacement of a large number of families from Bab Al Tabbaneh, Jabal Mohsen and Al Qobbeh, with hundreds of people killed and injured between 2008 and 2014.
The increase of unemployment rates to 72%.
Increased poverty in Bab Al Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen, as 82% of the residents of these areas are living below the poverty line.
These numbers and indicators require urgent methodological interventions from all stakehold ers in the city including the local community, the private sector, local authorities and other actors in Tripoli. To this end, the municipality of Tripoli has decided to design a socio-economic development plan for Bab Al Tabbaneh, Jabal Mohsen and Al Qobbeh that will take into consideration all socio-economic and urban aspects.
Capitalizing on the strategic plan entitled “Tripoli 2020” that was previously developed, and based on the current initiative for the reconstruction and development of Jabal Mohsen, Bab Al Tabbaneh and Al Qobbeh, members of the Tripoli municipal council met and explored ways to develop a complete socio-economic development plan for these areas, that engages all stakeholders and provides sustainable and radical solutions.
After a series of meetings held at the Municipality of Tripoli and facilitated by Beyond Group (previously Beyond Reform and Development) during the months of May and June, 2014, the municipal members agreed on the required steps and phases articulating the socio-economic development plan for social cohesion and political stability in Bab Al Tabbeneh, Jabal Mohsen, & Al Qobbeh.