NNA - The Beirut Port Management and Investment Committee, in cooperation with the World Bank, organized a workshop on Tuesday titled "Integration and Connectivity Between the City and the Port."

Beirut Port Chairman and General Manager Marwan Naffi presented the port’s vision and strategy, while World Bank Urban Specialist Ban Edilbi outlined technical support for Beirut’s urban recovery. Board member Rami Semaan presented an overview of the working session.

Naffi said the objective was to achieve greater integration between Beirut and its port, noting that 139 years of parallel port and urban expansion had created growing tensions between their development, compounded by the August 4 explosion.

He stressed that rebuilding and expanding the port while preserving its economic role required greater harmony with the city. More than 80% of Lebanon’s trade passes through the port, he said, adding that planned expansion is expected to strengthen its regional standing.

Academics and experts later discussed pedestrian-oriented development, governance, spatial continuity and integrated urban projects.

The workshop concluded with a discussion moderated by Kamal Hamdan on future recommendations to strengthen urban and economic links between Beirut and its port.