Hamra Prosperity Index

This research project is from the UCL Institute for Global Prosperity.

The challenge

Hamra is a socially and economically vibrant hub for cultural activities and one of Lebanon’s most diverse and cosmopolitan urban areas. Despite having the reputation of an affluent neighbourhood with high-end residential towers, upscale hotels, and prestigious universities, Hamra also has residents who live in conditions of extreme social and economic vulnerability, including a significant number of Syrian refugees. 

Our approach

This project investigated what prosperity means for the people in Hamra. Through consultations with local people, and with a team of citizen scientists, we were able to elaborate, adapt and contextualize the Prosperity Index for the specific experience of life in the neighbourhood. This model was then used by our team to guide our data collection and to help us design a series of surveys including a household survey, a business and enterprise survey and a study of the quality of local infrastructures and buildings Hamra.

Hamra was the first site investigated by the RELIEF Centre, in partnership with the American University of Beirut (AUB), the AUB Neighborhood Initiative, the Lebanese American University, the Center for Lebanese Studies and UNHabitat-Lebanon.

Interventions

The Hamra Prosperity Index project empowered teams of Citizen Scientists to develop targeted interventions based on the needs identified through their research in Beirut’s Hamra neighborhood. Three distinct initiatives emerged:

1. Jouwan Community Centre (JCC): An educational program designed to support children who are out of school or lack access to quality education. Volunteer teachers were recruited and trained to deliver a high-standard teaching curriculum.
2. The Goods of Our City: An urban agriculture project aimed at enhancing the livability of Hamra by creating green spaces that foster community engagement and improve the local environment.
3. Wirach: An entrepreneurial and social intervention focused on increasing the visibility of local workshops, artisans, and craftsmen. This initiative provides mapping and promotional services to support the neighborhood’s economy, connecting users with local businesses and preserving the community’s cultural heritage. 

Each intervention is uniquely branded and structured to address specific community needs, contributing to the overall prosperity and resilience of the Hamra neighbourhood.

The RELIEF Centre and UN Habitat have developed a Neighbourhood Profile for the Hamra neighbourhood of Beirut, an area located in the north-western part of the city. It includes a detailed mapping of the quality of housing, public services, and livelihood opportunities, as well as an analysis of the impact of inequality on quality of life in Hamra.

Find out more about the project on the PROCOL Lebanon website.

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