Italian experts review plans to restore historic Benghazi
LIBYA – A delegation of Italian experts and companies is visiting Benghazi from 9 to 12 November to continue preparations for rehabilitating the city’s historic centre in cooperation with Libyan specialists, according to an English-language report by the Italian news agency Italpress.
17 participants from 10 companies and engineering firms
The report, which was followed and summarised by Al-Marsad, said the delegation comprises 17 members from ten companies and professional firms selected to take part in the project. Its members will hold meetings at the headquarters of the Development and Reconstruction Fund of Libya with local engineers and technicians to discuss design and implementation details, identify operational solutions and move towards the implementation phase.
Nine historic buildings between reconstruction and restoration
It said the rehabilitation plan covers nine historic buildings, five of which will undergo full reconstruction, while the other four will be restored with their historic character preserved.
It said the sites were chosen after field visits focused on Omar Al-Mukhtar Street and Benghazi’s central district.
Markets, homes, mosques and civic landmarks
The report pointed to the variety of the urban fabric targeted, including private homes, shops, food and textile markets, goldsmiths’ workshops and places of worship, as well as the municipality building and the city’s lighthouse.
It noted that the work focuses on public spaces and buildings in the Al-Sabri and Old City areas, both distinguished by architecture dating from the early 20th century.
Rehabilitating Omar Al-Mukhtar Street and the historic centre
It added that the project, sponsored by the Development and Reconstruction Fund of Libya, is not limited to individual buildings but includes urban rehabilitation work along Omar Al-Mukhtar Street and in other parts of the historic centre.
The report described the initiative as part of a wider programme to rebuild eastern Libya and as a framework for technical and commercial cooperation between Libya and Italy aimed at restoring urban heritage and public spaces.
