The Beirut Pine Forest is a green space extending over more than two hectares with a natural ecosystem typical of the Mediterranean region including native tree species, shrubs, and plants. The unique green space known locally as Horsh El Snoubar or Bois de Pins is located in the middle of the capital and considered the largest botanical garden in Lebanon. 

“Horsh El Snoubar” is a unique green space in Beirut that was re-developed in 1992 through a project commissioned by the Municipality of Beirut with the help of Region Ile-de-France; a team of French and Lebanese architects and landscape architects (from France: Jacques Sgard, France Trébucq, Ivy Papadakis, Jean-Claude Hardy; from Lebanon: Pierre Neema and Frederic Francis) proposed a new layout for the forest. 

A rehabilitation plan has been proposed to develop the facilities and services needed in the park for opening it to the public and promoting it for cultural, social, sports, and environmental activities – while at the same time maintaining and conserving the park’s natural habitats. Environmental standards and urban needs will be integrated in a seamless way, enhancing the sense of belonging to the wider community.

Progress: The natural ecosystem of the park is maintained by limiting the number of interventions to the minimum required. Services and attractions for different target groups (children, youth, adults, senior, disabled, etc.) are secured. The project is promoted as enhancing the site’s capacity to host cultural, social, sports and environmental activities. Different attractions will be created to educate people about the richness and importance of forests and green spaces in Lebanon.

People: Collaboration is established between the private sector, public sector and local NGOs to develop a maintenance and operations scheme that secures long-term monitoring and evaluation of results. The park will open for a diverse range of events (art, cultural, sports, social, educational, environmental, etc.) organized by local community groups.

Planet: Environmentally-friendly materials and products are used where relevant, such as solar panels for lighting, sorting of wastes, potential re-use of biomass waste as fertilizer; installation of water-efficient supplies in the services blocks, etc. A fire prevention and security system will be implemented to reduce the risk of forest fires. The system will include provision of water reservoirs, fire engines, manual tools and equipment for rapid fire abatement.

Prosperity: This project shows an innovative model in financing where the Municipality of Beirut will share the cost of rehabilitation, operation and maintenance with the private sector and community groups. Upon completion of the rehabilitation, a maintenance and operations agreement will commence between the municipality and the private sector, to secure proper evaluation and monitoring of results.

Place: Interdependencies of landscape, infrastructure, urban fabric and architecture – the first priority in this project is to maintain its environmental aspect. To secure its cautious restoration, a local environmental NGO expert in forest restoration is involved in the development and implementation of the project.