Reading Publicness: Meaningful and Spontaneous Encounters in Beirut During a Time of Crisis

This article explores a series of narratives collected during the Covid-19 pandemic and after port explosion in Beirut. The selected cover “meaningful encounters” defined by authors as acts urban engagement that are able to challenge dominant or prejudiced perceptions city. These spontaneous sometimes prolonged interactions seem strengthen collective foster new opportunities be together strenuous challenging times for all. importance this study stems from fact most designated public spaces rather exclusive fall short bringing different factions community. In context increasing socio-spatial polarization, reading everyday practices, activities, meaningful encounters Beirut reveals more comprehensive inclusive notion publicness challenges popular biased perception fragmented research draws combination qualitative approaches include both observation collection narratives. final selection was based on their potential illustrate what we considered typical cases addressing three types engagements with context. seeks better understand influences exercised individuals over one another subsequent emergence places Finally, argues sites fluid spread beyond footprint traditional spaces, thus contributing reshaping sphere