Thesis & Dissertations

Open public spaces play a vital role in the fabric of cities, since they enhance the physical environment and have significant meanings associated with activities and memories of the community. They also have economic value and contribute positively to improving the inhabitant's psychology of citizens and providing them with recreational opportunities. Unfortunately, cities may be exposed to sudden natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes or man-made disasters such as wars, and those resulting from technical or chemical errors due to human negligence. These disasters cause major damage to urban areas, including the destruction of open public spaces. The loss of these spaces can have a profound impact on the physical, social, and psychological well-being of urban residents, particularly those who are already vulnerable due to socioeconomic factors. In response to this problem, many cities are adopting the approach of urban resilience, which seeks to improve a city's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters by creating resilient open public spaces. The thesis, therefore, aims to provide architects, urban designers, and decision makers with an evaluation form as a tool that confirms the recovery of the open public spaces after crises using the urban resilience approach. The thesis assumes that the application of the features and attributes of this resilient approach can contribute to a recovery plan for these spaces after crises. Several countries have already started using this approach; however, it still lacks specific measurement standards to ensure the success of the recovery plan. To prove the validity of this hypothesis, and achieve the stated goals, the study follows several research methodologies: first- the inductive method which is based on collecting information and examining previous readings through a comprehensive theoretical study that defines the main definitions of the meaning of open public space, its important elements, components, characteristics, formations, and extensively explains the concept of disasters, their types, and their impact on cities and open public spaces, as well as the psychological impact on citizens and the different methods of post-crises urban recovery plans are also presented. This theoretical study was completed in three chapters, which are the first, second, and third chapters. Second, the analytical method was used, where three similar examples were analysed in Iraq, America, and Thailand, respectively, based on the framework of analysis- composed of several criteria- which was deducted from the theoretical part. The analysis of these examples targeted to identify three different experiences in several places, each of which used urban resilience approach in a certain way. The analytical study in chapter four led to shaping the features of the evaluation criteria, which was then tested on a local case study in Lebanon. Third, the practical method was used, where the author chose the open public space in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, that is Horsh Al-Sanawbar, also known as Horsh Beirut to be the case study- several reasons is mentioned in detail for this selection. The fieldwork method included the author's visit to the mentioned area, where live photographs were taken, and a questionnaire was distributed to the users within this open public space. Interview questions were also directed to officials in NGOs and associations that engage in the developed of Horsh Beirut with the help of the Beirut government. The open public space of Horsh Beirut was analysed using the evaluation criteria mentioned earlier. The case study was presented in one chapter, which is chapter five. Finally, creating an evaluation form table that can be used by architects, urban designers, and decision makers as a design guideline to redevelop the open public spaces using the urban resilience approach.