The Daily Star- A group of activists in Beirut have teamed up with a local design agency to create the city’s first map of green spaces. Beirut Green Project and Wonder 8 launched the Beirut Green Guide earlier this week, but a few kinks still need to be worked out.

 

Beirut Green Project has spent several years trying to draw attention to the appalling absence of green space in Lebanon’s capital.

 

Lack of public access to the Horsh Beirut urban park remains among the most noteworthy and ongoing issues, and activists have engaged city officials in a pitched debate over who has the right to enjoy the historic gardens, but now the group has focused time and resources on highlighting what the city does have rather than what it doesn’t.

 

By building an interactive web-based map that illustrates the parks and other green spaces that are tucked away among the numerous concrete high rises and raging highways, the group hopes to encourage residents to seek them out.

 

And in order to get word out, an exhibition at Tawlet restaurant in Mar Mikhael depicting each space along with its various amenities will remain in place for a full month.

 

Clicking on any of a series of bright orange icons on the map will bring up a separate page that lists the properties of each destination, including useful information like how many benches are available, whether or not pets are welcome, and if WiFi is available.

 

Photos are also posted.

 

Handy “did you know” facts provide information about each spot’s history.

 

For now, the group has collated information on 22 parks in the city, but they are encouraging users to submit any spots that they have overlooked. And in time, they hope to publish a print version of the guide.