Figures released by the Beirut and Tripoli Engineers Syndicate highlight a substantial surge in construction activity, with a total of 10,260 new building permits issued during the initial ten months of 2023. In October 2023 alone, the two engineers’ unions granted 1,126 additional building permits.
Analyzing the distribution, the Mount Lebanon region led with a significant 30.6% of newly issued building permits, followed by the South at 25.8%, Nabatiyeh with 19%, the North at 12.5%, the Bekaa region with 7.7%, and Beirut at 2.5%. The remaining 1.9% accounts for licenses issued by the Engineers Syndicate in Tripoli for areas outside northern Lebanon.
Moreover, the cumulative area covered by these building permits reached 4.3 million square meters for the first ten months of 2023. Mount Lebanon again claimed the largest share, representing 29.2% with 1.24 million square meters, followed by the South with 26.5% (1.13 million square meters), Nabatiyeh with 16.1% (686,143 square meters), the North with 13.4% (572,555 square meters), the Bekaa region with 10% (423,885 square meters), and Beirut with 2.4% (104,250 square meters). The remaining 2.4% comprises the area covered by licenses issued by the Syndicate of Engineers in Tripoli for regions outside northern Lebanon, totaling 104,371 square meters.
Recognizing the pivotal role of the infrastructure and construction sector in a nation’s economy, it’s noteworthy that despite recurrent crises, this sector has demonstrated resilience, maintaining stability during challenging times.
In a positive development, Lebanon has responded to the call for renewable energy solutions to address the power shortage. Solar power, in particular, has emerged as a key component in recovery plans and strategies. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) forecasts that 30% of Lebanon’s energy consumption will be sourced from renewables by 2030, marking a significant step toward sustainable and resilient energy practices.
