The Symbolic Dimension of the Urban and Cultural Landscape in Baalbek (Lebanon): The Challenge of Resistance and/or Instruments of Power

Abstract

This article proposes an interpretation of the symbolic dimension of urban landscapes that are mediated by symbols. The study aims to prove that the spatial symbols can be both an instrument of political power, a challenge of resistance against neoliberal global images, and an image of identity when referring to the spirit of the place. It does this in several ways: through studying the saturated places of symbolic loads and their collective memories in the case study in Baalbek, a spatio-temporal analysis of rituals related to the daily surroundings, and the analysis of the urban/ landscape master planning and urban development strategies.