RFP Consultant Services Contract for Works- Detailed Design Works for Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Sioufi Garden

Aiming at improving the living conditions of the affected population by the Beirut Port blast, UNOPS is currently implementing the project entitled “Sustainable Integrated Municipal Actions (SIMA)” following the Beirut Port Blast. This Project is funded by Germany through KfW Development Bank, and is fully managed by UNOPS as the direct implementer. 

Reopening the Sioufi Garden in Beirut would enhance the community's well being while ensuring active grassroot initiatives for a sustainable intervention. This intervention aims to complete the renovation of the garden whilst introducing improvements to the already existing design, that would ensure the integration of gender sensitive elements into the design, adapt to/answer the current community’s needs, and include, but not limited to, the enhancement of the accessibility to the garden, the compliance with international and local safety standards, the incorporation of current municipal requirements, the promotion of sustainability and the provision of a photovoltaic lighting system with energy storage. 

The current design for Sioufi Garden does not include a connection to the lower lying southern side of the park. Neither is it linked to other public spaces nearby, such as the Achrafieh Courts. A strategy to create a pedestrian connection between the two sites should be investigated in collaboration with the municipality and included in the design proposed by the CF. Furthermore, the garden is accessible by car and by foot from the northern side. Pavements lead to the entrance gates and parking is provided in the street. However, pedestrian safety requires improvement in the direct environment.

Design enhancements shall also aim to generate a rather user-friendly space for persons of different genders, age groups, and abilities, especially people from marginalized communities, whilst ensuring participatory design methodology is applied. The design shall ensure the inclusion of safe spaces within the garden that are particularly tailored to the needs and preferences of vulnerable groups within the population such as women, girls, children, elderly, youth, PWSN and more.