The Municipality of Jbeil- Byblos has launched the first resilient strategy in the Middle East with the support of “100 Resilient Cities” program, and funded by the “Rockefeller” Foundation.

“Byblos’ Resilience Strategy outlines actionable steps that our city will take to prepare itself for immediate and long-term challenges, so that generations from now, Byblos residents will live in an even stronger, healthier and more equitable city,” said Mayor Ziad Hawat”

Byblos was selected as one of the first 32 members of what will ultimately be a 100-city global network, and is receiving technical support and resources to implement the resilience strategy.

“Byblos’ Resilience Strategy will serve as a tactical guide for the city’s future. It identifies initiatives, actions, and solutions that will enhance the city’s resilience,” said Bryna Lipper, 100RC’s Vice President of City relationships.” “100 Resilient Cities is committed to working with Byblos to implement the unique vision laid out in this strategy.  This is the first Resilience Strategy in the Middle East, coming out of the first Resilience Office in the Middle East, and it’s an exciting moment for both the City and 100 Resilient Cities.”

The city’s resilience strategy sets out five strategic pillars that will address the city’s physical, environmental, economic, societal and political shocks and stresses that will affect the city’s assets. Each pillar is supported by actions and initiatives.

The five pillars of the City’s strategy are:

1. Connected City; Byblos will be a city that pioneers innovative and inclusive urban solutions through building its digital infrastructure, connecting the city’s neighborhoods and limit urban sprawl and designing a blue-green network throughout the city.
2. Resourceful City; The city will be a resource efficient city that optimizes ecosystem services through demonstrating environmental responsibility and promoting stewardship by citizens and investing in efficient and renewable energy.
3. Peaceful City; It will encourage civic engagement and participation in decision making, manage security risks, threats and civil unrest and promotes social networks and relationships within and between the communities.
4. Cultural City; The city will develop measures and guidelines to protect its historic assets and coastal heritage and will use culture, heritage and traditions in Byblos as catalyst for economic and social development.
5. Thriving City; Byblos will promote diversification into sectors that will enable it to be more active within the global economy, it will strengthen the city’s role in regional economic development and will improve the quality of life for Byblos’ residents.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Tony Sfeir, Chief Resilience Officer said: “The Byblos strategy was developed through months of work with extensive community and expert input and its implementation requires the will, political support, as well as, domestic and international resources. “From the outset we wanted to ensure that it was an inclusive process incorporating all the city’s pressing issues and needs, so we sought out ideas from the citizens, civil associations, private and public sectors and university professors.”  He continued.

The completion of Byblos’ resilience strategy is a large proactive step in Lebanon and the region and it is reflective of scientific and humanitarian developments. By implementing the actions outlined in this strategy with the 100RC Platform of Partners, Byblos will embrace its heritage with innovation and build on its diversity, openness and pace to become a pioneer city on the Mediterranean shores.

For more information, please contact: Maxwell Young 

Source http://www.100resilientcities.org/