(November 28, 2016) The commitment of the Italian Cooperation in support of Lebanon’s urban fabric has increased. In recent days the United Nations Program for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat) and the Italian government represented by the Embassy of Italy in Beirut organized an event for the launch of the project “Promoting National and Local Urban Systems Approaches”: the Memorandum of Understanding of the project, amounting to 1.5 million euro, was signed on August 10. On this occasion were discussed issues related to continued rapid urbanization, partly because of the Syrian crisis, of Lebanese cities. An element that contributes to social vulnerability of many metropolitan areas, and to which the project, thanks to its multi-sectoral approach, aims to offer a response. The introductory speeches have turned the spotlight on the weight of the massive presence of Syrians fleeing the civil war on the weakened fabric of Lebanese cities. The Ambassador of Italy Massimo Marotti stressed “the impact of the Syrian crisis on the daily lives of the Lebanese: a weight that is in the infrastructure network, the economy, trade, health and education.” Introduction was followed by the presentation of initiatives launched by UN-Habitat in different metropolitan areas of the country. The event was completed with assistance from the mayors of Zahle, Baalbak and representatives of the municipality of Bourj Hammoud and Saida, urban areas affected by the initiative funded by Italy. (Red)
