Western Arab

Cedar Island Lebanon

I just ran across some new idea that has apparently been floating around for some time, perhaps I am late to hear about Cedar Island, Lebanon.Well what can I say, when the Palm Islands in Dubai were first introduced to me, I thought it was a cool idea. A first of it’s kind. Something the Arab world is making that is unique and new. Something the world will be impressed by. The result perhaps was not what was expected, there are many critics, and with Dubai’s ever ending list of projects, half complete or rushed, the Palm Island plan didn’t do so well, I think.

So here we are, in 2009, discussing a giant man made island to be created on the beautiful Mediterranean coast of Lebanon. A promise of hotels, residence, golf, aquarium, kindergarten, school, hospital, presidential guest house, malls and shopping, and so much more! I don’t think a presidential guest house impresses me or the people of Lebanon, but in a country where things can’t be done without connections, I can see this as a small bribing chip to get a presidential A-OK on the project.

With learning of this project, I also learned of a lot of debate on this project with many flat out opposing this project entirely. While each may have his opinion on why or why not this project is good, from hurting marine life  to being a copy cat of Dubai to Lebanon having beautiful nature unlike Dubai’s desert where an island was needed to attract tourists, where as Lebanon has plenty of natural attractions. I will have to side with those opposing the project, for similar reasons, mainly that Lebanon itself needs major reconstruction and cleaning up. I would much rather a cleaner Lebanon, than this giant island that is supposed to be a clean city island. I would rather reconstruction in Lebanon, with building codes applied, unlike the chaos that occurred during and after the civil war. I say clean up Lebanon and this island isn’t needed.

I flew to Lebanon just last September and what I remember of the beautiful coast of Lebanon is the hideous sight of homes built right up at the very edge of the coast. There were not luxury hotels or residences. They were … the following:

Ugly Coast next to the Beirut Airport Runway