Damascus Network Energy Storage Project

What happened to Damascus?

Upon the regime's takeover of southern Damascus in 2018, the area came under the control of the Fourth Division, which immediately imposed restrictions on the movement of people to and from the area.

How did the Syrian regime manage urban development in Damascus?

While the Syrian regime was bombarding and bulldozing several neighborhoods in Damascus throughout the conflict, it rushed into preparing regulatory plans for the very same neighborhoods. Several decrees and laws related to urban development and investment were issued to facilitate land dispossession and the implementation of regulatory plans.

Does Damascus have a recovery phase?

The dynamics of return and reconstruction in Damascus have never been unified or centralized across the city, or for the entire country. More than five years after the regime takeover, conflict-affected neighborhoods in Damascus have yet to transition into the recovery phase.

Is recovery a priority of Syrian regime in Damascus?

After reviewing the activities of rehabilitation and early recovery carried out by the DGC and RDGC in both Damascus and Rural Damascus, it becomes clear that the recovery of conflict-affected neighborhoods and the return of displaced residents are not among the priorities of the Syrian regime.

Why was Damascus selected as a primary case study?

Damascus was selected as a primary case study due to the city's extensive destruction and the scale and diversity of projects implemented in recent years. Since the outbreak of the conflict in 2011, the city has experienced numerous rounds of displacement, destruction, return, and reconstruction.

What is the dynamics of return in Damascus?

An analysis of the dynamics of return in Damascus can offer valuable insights. The primary group returning to Damascus comprises individuals who were previously displaced within regime-controlled areas.