Heritage Conservation in River Corridor Cities. The Case of Tripoli, Lebanon.

This article recognizes rivers as cultural heritage landscapes, as an integral component of cities common heritage and an element of collective memory and identity. It is based on the consideration that analysis of the socio-spatial relationship between the river and urban structure at different historical period can further lead to knowledge about the river contribution in forming the identity and sense of place of an urban area. This knowledge can be used to inform urban conservation as well as development practices to support the integral spatial and cultural relation between the city and the river in order to maintain the character of river city. This article takes the historic core in the city of Tripoli, Lebanon as a case study where conservation practices have followed a monument centric approach focusing on the restoration of heritage buildings and sites and neglecting the cultural value of the Abu Ali River flowing through the city. It conducts a multi- dimensional morphological analysis that is based on archival review and field work to extract the social value of the river and its contribution to the urban morphology of the city.ULg - Université de Lièg