Cedar Island – Lebanon’s own man made Island

29Jan09

First Dubai, and now others seem to be amazed by it.

Noor International Holding is planning on building this massive island covering an area of 127.8 squared miles in the touristic coastal area of Lebanon, the Cedar Island lends itself as a luxurious residential, commercial, and touristic project. Its geographical location along the Lebanese coast allows it to play a vital role in attracting tourists and savvy residents looking for an exotic lifestyle or escaping from the city.

One critic wondered:”[The content of this project] remains vague, provides no information on the environmental impact, the financial and economical feasibility, the investment and investors as well as the actual details of the project.”

While this observer feels that it may be better to embellish what we already have, and maintain it, than to venture into ‘tiblit el ba7er‘, and other environmental considerations.

Update (01/02/2009): As you can see from the comments, and the rage over at facebook, many seem to be pleased by the candy colored plan for this massive project, and many seem to be keen on preventing it from happening, if ever the capital for such a project is secured. Till now, facebook’s Cedar Island – Lebanon has 10’694 fans and counting, while those opposing it, hosting a page called No for Cedar Island has 2’831 members.

Update (31/01/2009): Plans for Cedar Island show houses, a golf course and a marine academy. Over 300 villas, a golf course and a self-contained infrastructure, including a water treatment centre and power plant.

Update 28/04/ 2009.

The $7.4 billion island, on which hundreds of Lebanese have apparently already asked to buy houses, is being developed by head civil engineer Dr Muhammad Saleh, who developed the world’s tallest hotel, the Rose Tower in Dubai.

Working with a team of more than 20 architects, civil engineers, environmental and investment consultants, Noor has produced detailed plans for the enterprise, and has, it says, letters of intent from investors in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Holland, Mexico, Panama and – most of all – Lebanon.

Investment fund managers have been in touch to discuss international investment, and Aston Martin wants to present the project to its owners’ club at the launch of their new car in November.

The project has its skeptics. Thomas Schellen, publishing editor of Lebanon’s Zaywa Industry Research, pointed out that the Lebanese environment could present problems. “The Mediterranean coast,” he said, “is battered by storms most winters and projects like the sea wall for the new Corniche show that building construction on the coastline is not a simple proposition.” Similar islands have, of course, been constructed off the coast of Dubai, but, says Schellen, “the Arabian Gulf with its shallow waters is much easier to deal with.”

Furthermore, he pointed out, mega-projects do not have a good track record in Lebanon. “Some years ago,” he said, “Gulf investors launched what was to become Sannine Zenith resort on one percent of Lebanon’s surface. They had models, a theme song, a marketing office, the works. They already bought properties. To date, the Sannine Zenith has not moved an inch.”

However, according to Dr. Saleh, the only obstacle to beginning work on the project is getting the necessary permits, although the volume of paperwork necessary makes Cedar Island, as he said, “a high-risk venture.” Permission must come from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, then from the civil authorities, then the Environment Ministry, then Parliament and finally a Presidential decree must be issued. [b]”We are looking at a time scale of four to six months[b],” said Dr. Saleh, “Inshallah.”

Criticism has also come from environmentalists, who have raised concerns that building a giant artificial island will affect marine and coastal bird life. Amir Shahab works on research for the project, and counters that they are finding a site for land reclamation, which will “not have a coral reef, we are making sure there will be no bird habitat and no fishermen whose livelihood depends on fish stocks.” It will, in the long run, he said, become an artificial reef environment for fish, and the water treatment facility will prevent stagnation.

The project is slated to be in Damour, just south of Rafik Hariri International Airport, and to take between three and four years to build. According to Noor International, it will create 50,000 jobs, and take advantage of willingness to invest and buy in Lebanon as the country’s economy remains strong in comparison with troubled markets in the rest of the world.

Meanwhile, among Lebanese blogs and on Facebook, the subject is dividing people sharply. Blogger Qika Nabki wrote, “Am I the last person to hear about this? Say it isn’t so!” The online community also expressed the view that this island is so similar to the Palm Island in Dubai that it will move Lebanon closer to being what one Facebook user called “another Dubai-Disney-land.”

“Well sure,” said Dr. Saleh when questioned about the security aspect, “if there is a war, we’ll stop.” However, he explained, he unveiled the plans only as US President Barack Obama took office, because, “he will help the Arab world,” and conflict is unlikely in the future.

You don’t have to be optimistic to work in the Noor offices, it seems, but it helps. “We passed through a lot of difficulties in Lebanon,” chimed in Lilian Haddad, who is handling the company’s investor contracts, “and I think it’s saturated, it’s over.” – Thanks to Alice Forman.

Filed under: Lebanon Green Party, Mediterranean, Plain Talking, Strictly Lebanese   |  50 Comments
Tags: Cedar Island, Dr Muhammad Saleh, environment, man made, Noor International, project, Tourism