Architectural interventions in protest: The October 2019 uprising in Al-Balad , Beirut
Abstract
Activist design has a recent but significant presence in theoretical literature; however, studies remain limited on the role of professional designers trained in spatial practice—i.e. architects—in shaping what is now termed ‘protest architecture’. This study analyzes two interventions by local architects during the October 2019 Beirut uprising, situating their contribution within the theories of Lefebvre, Rancière, and protest architecture, and examining their effectiveness in advancing the protest’s goals. It documents how the protest spaces were used, how this use recalled earlier meanings of the space, and how structured environments were created at the protestors’ request to enable congregation. The analysis suggests that architecture offers distinct value to protests, and future architects can benefit from these observations.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Middle East Politics and Society
Public Spaces through Art
Belt and Road Initiative
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The Design Journal
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 615–632
- Publication date
- 6 January 2026
- Language
- EN