The site of the project area is generally characterized by its gentle slopes. There is a pronounced ridge that extends from Sports City to Raml Al-Aali. The highest elevation along the ridge is around 55m. There are pockets of low lying lands on either sides at Horch Al-Katil and the Golf Club. The majority of the project site is covered with sand deposits.

This has led to the definition of a number of site opportunities and constraints which will influence, to a large degree, the shape and character of future development in the project area.

The major opportunities will arise from:

• The presence of the seafront over the entire length of the project area from Jnah to Ouzai d the potential offered for its exploitation for recreational and leisure activities.

• The gentle topography of the site to the west of the main ridge line towards the sea and the potential to exploit seaviews way back from the sea.

• The presence of prominent building landmarks that punctuate the Project area and which constitute visual attractions and identity nodes. There is also ample scope for creating new landmarks associated with prominent redevelopment sites.

• The existence of areas of distinctive vegetation such as the Golf Club and the remaining pine tree clusters in Horch Al-Katil that would enhance the quality of surrounding developments.

The major constraints will arise from:

• The barrier effect created to the south of the project area by the Beirut International Airport which is accentuated by the difference of level generated by the Airport runway higher grounds.

• The existence of large dumping grounds on the vacant land of Raml Al-Aali and Maramel which must be excavated, leading to a substantial lowering of the natural topography, creating artificially depressed areas.

The continued existence, for the foreseeable future, of pockets of substandard development in the Sabra area such as the Sabra camp and Daouk camp which may not be integrated to the adjoining urban fabric.