Assessing Urban Resilience within Sustainable Urban Development Frameworks: Case Studies from Lebanese Cities

Abstract

This paper examines governance, institutional fragmentation, and financing constraints affecting sustainable and resilient urban development in the Lebanese cities of Saida, Tripoli, and Byblos. Using a qualitative comparative case-study approach, the research analyzes land use planning systems, cultural heritage governance, and national and local strategies, including the SDATL, CHUD, and the 100 Resilient Cities initiative. Findings reveal that weak regulatory enforcement, fragmented national–local coordination, and donor-driven project cycles hinder the translation of strategic frameworks into tangible urban outcomes. Recent shocks, such as wildfires and the Beirut Blast, further expose gaps in disaster risk reduction and preparedness, which are often addressed through temporary donor or NGO interventions rather than institutional mechanisms. The study argues that advancing sustainable urban development in Lebanon requires strengthened coordination frameworks, outcome-based financing models, and enhanced municipal empowerment to address longstanding structural urban vulnerabilities.