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Mohammad Ayoub, executive director of Lebanese NGO NAHNOO, discussed the right to public space and opening Beirut’s only public park

Earlier this year, Beirut’s first public park opened, a move that marked a first for many Lebanese citizens. Most had not known about the park’s existence, let alone that they should be campaigning for its opening. 

“We made public spaces something public — not [just] for the elite,” said Mohammad Ayoub, executive director of the NGO NAHNOO which campaigned to opened Horsh Beirut. “Before people didn’t know it’s a need. Even Horsh Beirut, for example, they didn't know it exists, they didn't know this need, and they didn't know it’s a right…The knowledge transformed into different coalitions and actions and Lebanon demanded this.”

Ayoub touched on the lack of public space in Beirut — including coastal areas and green spaces which are increasingly privately-owned — at the first Parks for the Planet Forum: Nature, Health and a New Urban Generation. 

Lebanon’s social landscape is made up of 19 different sects, leaving a fragmented and isolated sectarian environment. NAHNOO works on various educational, legal, and awareness efforts to encourage equality and abolish discriminatory practices. 

“We live in an isolated neighborhood,” said Ayoub. “It’s always divided between classes, economics, and sectarian [lines].” Not only is there division among sects, but physical barriers also take a toll on society.

“It’s isolated not only based on religion,” he said, “but as you can see in Beirut, there’s a lot of bridges which is making a neighborhood like an island surrounded by highways.” While WHO standards recommend 9 meters squared per citizen, Beirut has only 0.8 meters squared.

Living in this kind of closed city has severe psychological, emotional, and social impacts, said Ayoub. NAHNOO is also attempting to shift the perception of public space, advocating for transparency in municipality as part of the right for citizens to free space and decision-making. The NGO is also campaigning for more public spaces in the north and south of Lebanon.

The potential for public space in a country like Lebanon is great, said Ayoub. “Public space builds identity of the city,” he said. “Horsh Beirut is part of our collective memory because it was a meeting space. And why is it a meeting space? Cities are made in public spaces. I mean by that the spirit of the city, and the feeling of identity.”

The Salzburg Global program Nature, Health and a New Urban Generation is part of the Parks for the Planet Forum. The list of our partners for Session 557 can be found here: www.salzburgglobal.org/go/557.