Methodology

This project utilised our Prosperity Index which explores what prosperity means for people in Lebanon in a context of large-scale displacement and multiple crises. A participatory approach where data collected by Citizen Scientists is used to develop innovative tools and frameworks, which residents and local organizations can use to understand the quality of life of local communities. Previously, the Prosperity Index was developed in Lebanon for the neighbourhood of Hamra in Beirut in 2019, and for multiple neighbourhoods in the city of El-Mina, Tripoli in 2020.

Phase One: Research Design

The research design phase included revisiting the Prosperity Index questionnaire with citizen scientists and consulting them on their experience on the key topics of the research.

The Prosperity Index research intends to develop innovative tools and frameworks, which residents and local organizations can use to understand the quality of life of local communities. In both Hamra and El-Mina the Prosperity Index research resulted in the development of a household survey that explores all aspects of prosperity or lack thereof: from livelihoods and housing, to education, health, neighbourhood belonging and more.

In Mar Mikhael, the research was adapted to a succinct vulnerabilities household survey including questions about the thematic foci, as well as questions assessing building damages, aid and relief received by residents post-blast. .

Phase Two Consultations

Once the survey data collection was completed, consultations were organized with citizen scientists, local key stakeholders and community representatives to address local vulnerabilities and to contribute to the larger urban recovery process in response to the Beirut blast. First, , and second a consultation where initial findings were presented and discussed with the citizen scientists to refine problem trees initially mapped before the data-collection and to formulate initial solution trees. A third c

• Consultation 1: Mapping Spaces of Exchange

  • A consultation workshop on “mapping of spaces of exchange” (20th of April 2021). The aim was to start the reflection with the citizen scientists on the subjective representations of the neighbourhood and how residents and other users experience it.

• Consultation 2: Problem and Solution Trees

  • The second consultation took place on the 31st of May 2021 and included a presentation of some preliminary survey findings and a discussion of the main identified vulnerabilities and how they can be addressed. Citizen scientists discussed the problem trees they had mapped before the data-collection which identified the causes and effects of the problems. They then developed solution trees which would bring forward ideas towards resolving these problems.

• Consultation 3: From data to action?

  • A consultation with diverse neighbourhood stakeholders including researchers from diverse backgrounds, NGOs, data scientists, community activists and the project citizen scientists. This session aimed at examining different assessments of vulnerabilities in Mar Mikhael, as well as discussing the difficulties of going from data-collection to action in the Beirut post-blast context.