The Council for Development & Reconstruction (CDR) has issued the first construction tenders under the $60 million Cultural Heritage & Urban Development (CHUD) project to rehabilitate historic city centres across the country (see Tenders).

Bids are due by 24 November for two 12-month contracts to restore Baalbek Old City. The first covers Baalbek southern access and Hay Qalaa and includes: rehabilitation of facades and public spaces; stormwater drainage; and rehabilitation of infrastructure for the Al-Shiyah area. The second package covers northern access and pedestrian paths and includes: rehabilitation of public spaces including traffic-related works; new parking areas; and rehabilitation of archaeological walls.

Bids for two further contracts in Tyre Old City are due by 23 November. The first contract covers coastline preservation and includes: rehabilitation of public spaces, including traffic works; stormwater and wastewater drainage; and rehabilitation of a public garden and the clean-up of the beach. The second Tyre contract is for a cultural promenade and includes the restoration of historic buildings and the rehabilitation of pedestrian alleys. The construction period is 18 months.

The CHUD project is aimed at restoring the historic centres of Saida, Tyre, Byblos, Baalbek and Tripoli, while preserving archaeological sites and managing tourist attractions. The project is co-financed by the World Bank, Agence Francaise de Developpement, Italy's Department for Development Co-operation and the French government (MEED 17:9:04, Tenders).