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The main focus of the research project will be PPP with reference to Lebanese Municipalities. It can be also said that Lebanon has already some PPP practice and this research will be taken as an example. The overall objective of sustainable development can be approached in a number of important ways, one of which is through enhancing the performance of sustainable building practices within the context of projects involving the construction of infrastructure.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable uptick in the promotion of the public-private partnership business model as a highly efficient tactic for the development of infrastructure projects. This is due to the fact that PPPs have been shown to be win-win situations for all parties involved. In the context of projects run using the Public-Private Partnership model, the distribution of project investment contributions between the public and private sectors is frequently considered to be a crucial aspect in determining the level of sustainability performance achieved by the projects.
The given research will also refer some practices of public procurement and then PPP as potential solution. The purpose of this research is to investigate the outcomes of prior public-private partnerships in Lebanon and to identify the elements and methods of operation that have the potential to contribute to the achievement of favorable outcomes for PPPs in the future in that country. Due to the limited number of public-private partnerships that are being evaluated within this context and the lack of complete data, the observation that has been offered has a more qualitative tone.
The aim of the research is to evaluate how municipal sustainability can be enhanced during the economic crisis through Public-Private Partnerships in Lebanon.
The research objectives are as follows:-
The research questions are as follows:-
Municipal sustainability indicates an urban centre or municipality's capacity to serve its current population of residents without jeopardizing that institution's ability to serve subsequent generations. To achieve the goal to make the city habitable, and sustainable throughout time, all aspects of the economy, the environment, and society must be balanced (icma.org, 2023). As cities struggle with problems like environmental degradation, urbanisation, and diminishing resources, the idea of municipal sustainability is spreading worldwide. Municipal sustainability is a significant issue in Lebanon. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 11 is to ensure that human settlements and cities are equitable, secure, adaptive, and resilient (unhabitat.org, 2023). For a period of fifteen years, UN-Habitat has succeeded in successfully collaborating with collaborators and municipal planning participants at the local, national, and international levels to create and execute programmes and agendas that are contributing to accomplishing this goal. However, in Lebanon, there existed no established framework, regulations, or paradigm expressly for PPPs before August 2017. Prior to the CEDRE summit, Law 48/2017 Regulating Public-Private Partnerships had been enacted in September of the year 2017 (c2e2.unepccc.org, 2023).
The management of projects involving public-private partnerships presents a number of challenges, one of the most significant of which is the comprehension of the essential factors that contribute to sustainable performance, as well as the complex interplay between those factors (Mekawy, 2022). The vast majority of the currently available research is primarily focused on the identification of general features, and it frequently ignores the particular contextual nuances that are present in a variety of fields.
This literaturereviewexplores the interplay between critical components for establishing sustainable performance in water public-private partnership projects(Carvalho & Rodrigues, 2022).. The special characteristics of such projects serve as the primary focus of this investigation. By looking at these elements from the perspective of a network, the objective is to close the knowledge gap that currently exists. Integration of cutting-edge technology and the application of well-established management techniques drawn from the private sector are vital for achieving sustainability and assuring high standards and the efficacy of infrastructure efforts. These methods were derived from the private sector. Water public-private partnership initiatives, in contrast to other types of projects, involve a greater number of participants, which consequently makes the relationships morecomplicatedandrisky. When only counting on the major stakeholders participating in the project, achieving sustainability can be a difficult task (Carvalho & Rodrigues, 2022). The cooperation of those with a stake in the matter is necessary.
When compared to other sorts of projects, the degree to which water public-private partnership initiatives achieve sustainability has a significantly larger influence on both society and the economy. In spite of the fact that they generate a smaller amount of revenue from user fees, these projects have more pronounced externalities in relation to the growth of the economy and the day-to-day lives of the general population. As a result, in order to achieve sustainability, a higher amount of effort is required to be put forth. In addition to this, it is advised that government departments create additional incentive measures and regulations to support public-private partnership (PPP) activities, which will ultimately foster the social responsibility of private companies and financial investors. Despite the fact that they may appear to be further away in the middle of the current human crisis, the global environmental concerns continue to be of the utmost urgency. Already, the negative effects of climate change, air pollution, the loss of biodiversity, and the decreasing condition of the ocean are leading in a large amount of suffering around the globe. In addition, these problems create additional systemic vulnerabilities for the global economy, which have the potential to be far more severe than the crisis that is currently unfolding. In the wake of the economic slowdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the task of reviving the global economy has its own unique set of obstacles. There has not been any obvious catastrophe, and the focus is instead placed on a situation that affects the entire planet. Despite this, the severity of the economic crisis, the significant risks associated with returning to previous patterns, and the obvious opportunity to adopt a recovery strategy that is more durable all make the term suitable in this specific context (Ghosseini, Saad &Beainy, 2023). At the global scale, there is still a substantial emphasis placed on prevention, as the investments and improvements in behavior will provide long-term advantages by decreasing susceptibility and strengthening the capacity to resist future expensive disruptions. These disturbances could be caused by a shift in the climate, an epidemic of a disease, or a combination of both of these and other reasons. It is essential for local governments to work toward improving public education and cultivating environmental consciousness since residents frequently place their trust in these governing bodies to look out for their own best interests. Due to this practice, local governments will need to raise the amount of work they put into educating the public. This effort intends to establish a social milieu that stresses the necessity of environmental preservation and fosters conscientious environmental behaviour among the general population. This goal will be accomplished by encouraging more people to be environmentally conscious in their daily lives (Darwish et al. 2023).
The steps taken by governments to assist their citizens during the epidemic contributed to a reduction in the number of businesses that were forced to declare bankruptcy, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). At the moment, governments throughout the world are starting to wind down the economic stimulus programs they've been running for the past few years in an effort to lessen the impact of the crisis. It would appear that the extended period of interest rates being at historically low levels across the world's largest and most interconnected economies is coming to a finish. In the current environment, which is characterized by rising interest rates, coupled with the ongoing difficulties faced by numerous businesses in adjusting to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent geopolitical uncertainties, the realm of private enterprise encounters numerous obstacles and complexities (Carvalho & Rodrigues, 2022).
This ensures that the assets will be able to withstand any risks that are associated with the weather. It is anticipated that the valuations of real estate and infrastructure in these regions will undergo significant appreciation as a result of population movements from high-risk locales in the southern hemisphere to more resilient communities in North America, northern Eurasia, and some sites in the global south.
Darwish et al. (2023) argue that real estate investment trusts, also known as REITs, and exchange-traded funds, often known as ETFs, are two ways that can be used to get consistent profits from climate-adaptation activities. The one strategy involves the careful selection of REITs, while the second involves the incorporation of greenfield developments through ETFs. In addition, these expenditures bring wider economic and societal benefits, which include improvements in productivity, the creation of employment opportunities, and the facilitation of housing and work for people that are always on the move.
This is due to the fact that interest rates are likely to keep going up soon. The availability of vital infrastructure is one of the most important factors that affect the rate and type of growth. Infrastructure can mean a lot of different things, like roads, power plants, water systems, sewage systems, and a lot more. It is very important for society and economic growth that people can get to it. It is very important that the world's infrastructure is in good shape so that the Sustainable Development Goals can be reached (Farah et al., 2020).
One of the most interesting things that came out of the COVID-19 outbreak is new knowledge about how important the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is. Before COVID-19, the main goal of the 2030 Agenda was to help less developed countries grow in a fair and long-lasting way. But the pandemic has changed what the SDGs are for. This is because, because of the outbreak, fighting infectious diseases is more important than ever. For starting and speeding up the economic rebuilding process, they have become an important tool. The pandemic has shown us how successful or unsuccessful some of the structural changes in our countries have been, even though political will has been a heavy factor in their success. The United Nations set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. To reach these goals, it is important to have a full sustainability process with clear strategies and actions. This is necessary to get the job done quickly and well. To keep big problems from happening in society and the economy, governments need to fix the problems that are making their systems so rigid and put the safety of weak groups first. To make success, it is important to adopt a broad strategy that addresses the problems of development. This can be done by putting a lot of money into people and taking moves to lessen the effects of climate change. It is very important to make sure that the goals of national development strategies and plans are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is because the strategy is being carried out within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Sustainable Development Goals are a good place to start putting this plan into action.
Using a method of careful price selection is an effective way to extend the lifespan of Public-Private Partnership ventures in all aspects, including the social, economic, and environmental. Importantly, the objective can be attained using this technique. Sohaib et al. (2021) argue that the proposals should be selected using a method that ranks plans based on factors other than their financial viability. Consider how your actions affect the environment, your social responsibility, and how you interact with the community. Rewarding sustainable behaviours such as following green building standards, utilising renewable energy sources, producing less waste, and reducing carbon footprints are a few examples of how to encourage private sector partners to use eco-friendly methods.
In addition, it is crucial that the manner in which bids are selected takes into account social issues such as job creation, talent improvement, hearing diverse perspectives, and involving all relevant stakeholders. As a result, private stakeholders are more likely to invest in improving neighbourhoods, fostering the development of local talent, and ensuring that their initiatives have a net positive social impact. The process of choosing the successful bid should take into account things like originality, cost-effectiveness, and long-term economic gains (Farah et al., 2020). Bids should be evaluated based on their ability to stimulate economic growth, facilitate knowledge sharing, and generate new ideas. All of these activities are typically associated with the private sector.
Figure 1: Bid Selection Model
(Source- Bakchan et al., 2021)
Transparency, fairness, and efficient communication are crucial to winning over the confidence of all parties involved in the bid selection process. Incorporating the knowledge of professionals, including input from community people, and conducting frequent audits can all help make a selection process more fair and long-lasting. It is possible that the region's sustainable development goals could be aided by incorporating sustainability into the bid selection process. According to Bakchan et al. (2021), this method guarantees that selected initiatives are ethical and sustainable. The people and government of Lebanon stand to benefit much from Lebanon taking the lead in promoting responsible and sustainable development. To this purpose, it may be helpful to encourage a culture of sustainability in public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives.
In order to foster long-term prosperity and stability in Lebanon, it is essential to strengthen the longevity of public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives through a precisely planned bid selection approach. To better link private sector ambitions with public interests, the bid selection process helps to attract qualified and dedicated private sector partners. Sustainability standards, which take into account environmental, social, and economic factors in addition to the more conventional monetary ones, should be the primary focus of the model. Dolla and Laishram (2020) argue that financial resources should be directed towards projects that promote long-term growth and stability. To do this, the bid selection process should place a higher priority on ecologically friendly actions, social responsibility, and the potential for economic growth. To build credibility and encourage participation from all parties involved, an open and equitable bidding process must be put into action. Since Lebanon plans to use PPPs to improve infrastructure and increase access to essential services, it is crucial that the country create a rigorous framework for evaluating and selecting winning bids, one that takes into account environmental and socioeconomic considerations.
2.2 Literature Gap
The survival of a municipality depends on the ideas of social progress and inclusion. In many urban places in Lebanon, unemployment and poverty are big problems. Integration of social development elements into project designs can help build social cohesion, boost local economic growth, and create jobs through public-private partnerships. The main gap is that there are no proper evidence in literature regarding PPP’s in Lebanon
2.3 Summary
Most of the Sustainable Development Goals can't be met without starting a number of projects to make infrastructure better. These plans will help with things like healthcare, schooling, and getting access to clean water, electricity, and toilets. More and more people agree that building up infrastructure is a must if we want to reach the Sustainable Development Goals and the climate change goals set out in the Paris Agreement. This is a good time to realise this because the area is already making progress towards some very high goals, like the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Infrastructure is an important part of a system that has many assets. It has a lot of promise to help achieve the three main goals of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The reason for this is that infrastructure is an important part of the whole .Researchers are capable of gathering data, assessing that data, and deriving conclusions from the results by employing the most efficient approach feasible. By implementing research methods, one can enhance the credibility and validity of a study. Due to the individual merits and demerits of each methodology, researchers must meticulously opt for the approach that most effectively corresponds to their objectives and available resources.
Chapter 3: Methodology
3.Research Methodology
3.1 Research Philosophy
Critical realism is the best philosophical framework for this study because it lets us look at complex business events in their entirety. This model makes it easier to look into causes in great detail, taking into account the many environmental factors and business forces that cause these things to happen. This method was chosen because it lets academics build a more complete understanding of a certain set of events without using methods that work better in the natural sciences.
This way of thinking also says that truth is a separate and long-lasting set of facts.
This logical framework makes it possible to get information that accurately shows how reality is on an objective level. This method was chosen because it aims to make objective reality clearer by looking at other objective facts and how people observe and make sense of their own experiences. Critical realism not only lets scholars focus on figuring out ongoing social relationships that cause problems in the present, it also pushes them to do so.
3.2 Research Design
The descriptive technique is going to be used as the method of choice. The choice of an approach for conducting research is critically important for a great number of different reasons. Its primary function is to direct the research project in the direction of achieving the goals it has set for itself and answering the research questions it has posed. ……A reliable and precise research process improves the reliability and precision of the study, which in turn makes it possible for subsequent researchers to reproduce or build upon the findings. The choice of a research approach is one of the most important factors that plays a role in deciding the breadth and depth of a study. Exploratory research gives academics the opportunity to investigate unexplored topics and develop ideas that may then be tested in following research. Comparing and generalising findings from different types of study is made easier by descriptive research. According to Aggarwal and Ranganathan (2019), causal research is a sort of investigation that seeks to establish cause-and-effect linkages for the purpose of giving support for interventions and policy decisions.
Research that is descriptive is the methodical description and documentation of a variety of behaviours, features, or events that are found within a specific community. A full understanding of the problem that is being investigated is made possible through the process of gathering and processing data. Research that is quantitatively descriptive makes use of a wide variety of approaches to data collecting, including questionnaires, surveys, and systematic observations. Researchers are able to more easily compare and generalise different variables or phenomena thanks to this technology.
3.3 Research Approach
The analysis has been done with the help secondary thematic analysis. Deductive approach has been used for the given study.
3.4 Sample Size
The research will employ secondary sources as a means of gathering data. The process of data gathering will involve conducting comprehensive literature searches, examining the reports of PPP’s of Lebanon. The sample size will be different reports and journals.
3.5 Data Collection
It is possible to obtain material for secondary research through a variety of different means, including the internet, libraries, archives, journals, and publications produced by organisations (Kabir, 2016). In the current investigation, we plan to collect information from a number of different PPP’s and do thorough literature searches. The review of various papers and publications pertaining to the industry will be carried out. A comprehensive review of the relevant literature is required for this investigation.
3.6 Ethical Considerations
The earlier parts of this chapter explained the methods, strategies, techniques, tactics, and procedures that were used to carry out this research study. These phrases cover all of the different methods that were used to do the study. When doing study, it's important to think about something else that needs your attention. …….Recognising social problems and taking them into account are important parts that should never be ignored. ……..
Chapter 4: Analysis andFindings
4.1 Analysis
The long-term viability of Lebanon's urban areas depends critically on the expansion and upgrading of their infrastructure, which must be addressed immediately. The deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate public services, and substandard construction that plague Lebanon contribute significantly to the difficulties experienced by its citizens. Infrastructure projects like highways, water supply, wastewater treatment, and solid refuse management are suitable candidates for public-private partnerships (PPPs), according to Dolla and Laishram (2020). Cities thrive when their residents work together to upgrade infrastructure and provide better services.
Figure 2: Infrastructure Development and Modernization
In order to ensure Lebanon's continued economic growth and prosperity, it is essential that the country's infrastructure be established and updated. The state of Lebanon's infrastructure has long been a source of concern. Transportation, water distribution, garbage management, and other essential public services are among the many areas where many municipalities are grappling with outdated and inefficient infrastructure. The economy suffers and people's lives are endangered when infrastructure isn't kept up to date. Municipal administrations in Lebanon, as argued by Chalhoub (2022), must prioritise infrastructure investment in order to adapt to the requirements of their citizens. There is need for improvement in the quality of the country's transport infrastructure, including its highways and public transport systems. This has the potential to improve accessibility, lessen congestion, and stimulate the economy. For the sake of public health and the environment, it is crucial that dry areas maintain reliable water supply and sewage systems for the long haul.
Figure 3: Beirut districtoverview
Many Lebanese municipalities struggle to offer essential services and invest in long-term economic projects due to a lack of financial resources. Municipal governments can save money through PPPs because they get access to private funding and expertise (Hnizil&Aboughazi, 2022). Cities and towns may fund essential services and long-term initiatives by adopting cost-sharing strategies and discovering new revenue streams
Growth and sustainability in Lebanon's municipalities are priorities. This highlights the significance of concepts like long-term fiscal viability and directing resources where they are most needed.
Many municipalities in Lebanon are unable to provide even the most basic of services, let alone long-term development initiatives. Due to the political and economic uncertainty in the country, public resources are stretched thin, making it difficult for municipalities to meet the needs of an ever-growing population. We need innovative solutions, and PPPs may be one of them, to ensure the long-term health of the economy (Nsouli, 2022). Municipalities can ease their financial strain and discover new revenue streams with the assistance of private sector companies. Publicly funded construction projects, public services, and sustainable development plans can be funded in this way.
Figure 4: SDG
Additionally, there is a link between making municipal processes more efficient and making the city's finances more stable. Municipalities can get the most out of their resource sharing by making it easier for resources to get to the right places, cutting down on waste, and raising taxes and fees. By putting in place clear economic policies and strong governance rules, you can increase trust among citizens and investors. Balcilar et al. (2023) say that achieving financial security is impossible without having effective resource mobilisation. It is worth noting that there are a lot of people living outside of Lebanon. This is a chance for local governments to get money and help for different community activities. Improving the gathering of resources can be done by getting more people involved in the community and setting up partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Figure 5: Shifting finance towards the goals
Both climate change and environmental destruction pose serious threats to Lebanon. Protecting the planet and making plans for climate change require the help of cities. Green infrastructure, renewable energy, and climate-resilient urban planning are just a few examples of how public-private partnerships (PPPs) can benefit these causes. Taking these measures will make urban areas more resilient to environmental hazards and further Lebanon's larger sustainability objectives.
Figure 6: Environmental deterioration
Thesolution lies on green infrastructure practises such as sustainable land use planning, waste reduction and recycling initiatives, and other similar initiatives. Lebanon's local governments can aid the national effort to combat climate change by investing in renewable energy and energy-efficient infrastructure and technologies. Lebanon is committed to ensuring that its urban areas are sustainable for the long haul. Both of these objectives require a resilient and well-protected ecosystem. Pollution, deforestation, improper waste management, and the impacts of climate change are just some of the environmental challenges Lebanon faces. The country's inhabitants, wildlife, and scenic landscapes are all at peril because of these problems. Lebanon's urban centres will only find long-term solutions by prioritising environmental sustainability (Darwishet al., 2022)
The first choice is the public-private partnership (PPP), which is a situation in which private investors from Lebanon offer the service while it is managed by public institutions. Immediately following the French conferences, the second scenario materialised in the form of a capital investment plan (CIP). The term "CIP" refers to the situation in which private investors own a portion of the public sector while the World Bank and the government of Lebanon exercise control over the situation. It is possible for the government to combine these two choices into a single option. The final option is an alternative, which is when the primary concepts are similar to those of the World Bank plan; however, in this model, the controller will be replaced by a new company. This new company will be responsible for managing the project and providing all services, with each company specifically specialising in a different domain (such as building, operation, infrastructure, etc.There is a description of investment projects according to PPP and CIP, as well as the organisational systems of the three different choices for attracting foreign direct investment..
Service delivery that is on time and clear is a key part of local sustainability. People who work together with the government (PPPs) can use performance-based contracts to make sure that their private partners meet certain standards for service quality, speed, and timeliness. When people work together, there is more openness, accountability, and participation from the people. These are all signs of good municipal government.
Because of its complicated history and current political situation, Lebanon needs to improve both service delivery and government over everything else. For these projects to succeed, they need a thorough and multifaceted approach. To find answers to these problems, important things need to be taken into account, like openness, responsibility, changing institutions, involving the public, and boosting the economy. Increasing openness and responsibility in government and public institutions is a key part of moving society forward (Zhou et al., 2022). To make sure that all government actions, decisions, and spending are clear and easy for everyone to see, strict processes need to be put in place. This goal can be reached more easily by starting open data projects, setting up reliable reporting systems, and making contact channels easy to find. Furthermore, it is necessary to create an impartial anti-corruption body whose job it is to look into and bring corruption cases to justice. No matter where they are in the organisation or how much power they have, everyone who works there needs to be held responsible for their dishonest actions. It is very important to set up strong oversight systems that can keep an eye on and evaluate how public institutions work so that there is a mindset of accountability. Setting up a separate auditing group to check that government spending follows the law and ethical standards could be helpful in this case (Batista et al., 2021). Both internal and external audits can be helpful for public businesses because they can bring to light trouble spots and help them use their money more wisely.
Figure 7: Efficient service delivery
Lebanon's government and public services can do better if more citizens are actively involved in policymaking. Town hall gatherings, public consultations, and internet forums are all examples of civic engagement platforms that facilitate communication between citizens and government authorities. By hearing from constituents, policymakers gain insight into issues plaguing the public and are better equipped to craft solutions. Likewise, it's crucial to foster an inclusive and accessible governmental setting (Carvalho & Rodrigues, 2022)
Improving governance and service delivery requires a comprehensive strategy, which must include reforming relevant institutions. Reforming and strengthening the government's most important institutions is a top priority. They need to be hired on the basis of aptitude, provided with professional training, and given sufficient resources to be productive, competent, and able to provide good services. Only by reviving the economy can we ensure long-term stability and improve our level of service. Economic policies that foster long-term growth, job creation, and investment are crucial. By expanding the economy and encouraging the creation of new firms, Lebanon may make the most of its advantageous geographic position and wealth of natural resources (Yang et al., 2022). Lebanon faces its own set of challenges, and international cooperation and partnership can offer much-needed aid and resources to the country. The reforms will have a greater chance of success if they are implemented with the assistance of outside knowledge and funding from international organisations, foreign states, and non-governmental groups.
Finally, efforts should be made to reduce the influence of religion and politics on government. A more stable and united society can be created by encouraging a shift towards a more unified national identity, in which choices are made based on what is best for all Lebanese people rather than their sectarian allegiances. A multidisciplinary team is necessary to improve service and government delivery in Lebanon (Nguyen et al., 2020). A better future awaits Lebanon and its people if efforts are made to open up the country, reform institutions, increase participation, revitalise the economy, and foster unity. If we want national growth and prosperity to persist, we need to commit to it, work together, and think far into the future.
PPPs facilitate the transfer of information and the acquisition of new abilities. Cities can benefit greatly from the expertise of private enterprises in the fields of project management, technology adoption, and sustainable development. Sharing this information could help local governments take on more ambitious, long-term projects.
Sustainability of public-private partnerships in Lebanon can be improved greatly through training and information exchange. To this end, well-structured PPPs can assist Lebanon in overcoming significant obstacles to economic development, infrastructural development, and service provision (Berishaet al., 2022). Gaining the most benefit from public-private partnerships requires enhancing the abilities of participants and facilitating the free exchange of information and expertise. First, providing local governments with the knowledge and skills they need to cooperate with the private sector on PPP projects is crucial. Programmes like workshops and training courses help people learn about PPPs and develop the skills necessary to successfully create projects, assess risks, manage contracts, and negotiate agreements. The success of public-private partnerships (PPPs) depends on the municipal government's ability to make informed decisions, negotiate equitable contracts, and monitor the projects' progress. At the same time, it is crucial to boost private sector competence. PPP structures, rules, and the requirements of various enterprises can be better understood through the use of targeted seminars and training programmes (Ngullieet al., 2021). In addition, encouraging private sector firms with extensive expertise in the PPP field and newcomers to work together and share ideas can create a good atmosphere for long-lasting partnerships.
Figure 8: Capacity development
Platforms and approaches that make it easier to share data can be useful in the public and private sectors. Improve people's ability to understand one another and work together by hosting forums, conferences, and networking events where local leaders and people from the business sector may share their experiences, lessons gained, and new ideas. A wonderful way to learn information that should not be limited by national lines is to form relationships with and speak with foreign groups who have ran successful PPP initiatives. PPPs are essential for promoting a research and innovation culture, and universities and think tanks should be actively involved in them. Funding research initiatives, case studies, and academic publications that study effective public-private partnership models, their problems, and their potential solutions is crucial if Lebanon is to get information that can be used in practise. The gap between theory and practise could be narrowed if universities, governments, and corporations worked together. This has the potential to lead to wiser choices and PPP endeavours that persist for much longer.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can help make cities more eco-friendly by funding things like public transportation, new infrastructure, waste management, and green energy projects. Successful projects and best practises in these areas can help municipalities create PPPs that are consistent with their environmental goals. Those in need of assistance can also benefit from access to a central repository of information, such as an online library stocked with PPP-related tools, guidelines, and case studies relevant to Lebanon (Viale Pereira and Schuch de Azambuja, 2021). Successful PPPs are established on a basis of knowledge sharing and skill development. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to provide the public and private sectors with the knowledge, resources, and confidence they need to work together effectively. By encouraging teamwork, education, and the exchange of ideas, public-private partnerships in Lebanon can improve the liveability of its urban areas, stimulate economic growth, and boost the standard of its public services.
Urban areas in Lebanon are particularly hard hit by high unemployment and low wages. One manner in which public-private partnerships can encourage diversity and inclusion is by include social development in projects. By offering locals priority for jobs, training, and volunteer opportunities, cities may reap social and economic advantages from infrastructure investments.
Using PPPs to make cities more sustainable in Lebanon requires a comprehensive policy that prioritises social development. To ensure the benefits of PPP projects are distributed evenly across society, it is essential that underrepresented groups be involved in the planning and execution of projects as part of a sustainable city development strategy (Rodrigues, 2022).
Community members, civil society organisations, and members of underprivileged communities should all be involved in the PPP project's early stages. Meetings and talks should be held in cities and towns to ensure that a wide range of people's opinions and needs are taken into account prior to making decisions (Mditshwa, 2020).
It is crucial to do a thorough social effect research before launching PPP initiatives. Possible local community impacts, with an emphasis on those already vulnerable, should be examined, and mitigation strategies proposed. The construction of PPP initiatives that enrich society through increased diversity and progress is aided by this preventative strategy.
The primary objective of any public-private partnership (PPP) endeavour should be to ensure the participation of all locals, regardless of their financial standing. "Barduset al. (2022)" argues that cities and municipalities should collaborate with corporate partners to develop pricing models that are sensitive to residents' varying means. Keeping everyone's access to and ability to pay for necessities like water, sanitation, healthcare, and education in this manner is crucial.
The development of local employment opportunities is an essential aspect of any public-private cooperation. Cities and towns need to collaborate with businesses to develop job-training programmes and skill-building projects to ensure local inhabitants, particularly youth and individuals from disadvantaged groups, acquire employable skills. This occurrence increases people's purchasing power and economic well-being.
To ensure the success of public-private partnership (PPP) projects, it is crucial to increase local participation. Public-private partnership (PPP) education campaigns could be useful in helping people understand their rights and raise concerns. Public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives have a better chance of success if the communities concerned are confident in their ability to communicate their expectations to the various parties participating in the projects.
Just and diverse supplier chains can only be fostered by adopting inclusive procurement practises.
Small, locally owned firms, notably those owned and operated by women and members of historically underrepresented groups, have been advocated for in municipal purchasing strategies (Sohaib et al., 2021). This ensures that more individuals will benefit from projects that incorporate public-private partnerships (PPPs), which helps achieve the objective of economic equality.
Public areas should be accessible and welcoming for individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities, as part of any public-private partnership plan to improve infrastructure. To ensure that persons with disabilities are able to take part in all aspects of public life, it is imperative that inclusive infrastructure development be given top priority.
Using data to understand the needs and demographic characteristics of groups is a crucial responsibility. Investing time and resources into creating data collection and analysis systems is a smart move for municipalities. According to Khalil (2022), this strategy would facilitate the identification of vulnerable populations, the identification of their needs, and the identification of areas where collaboration between the public and private sectors might have significant positive consequences. Public-private partnership (PPP) projects should prioritise social growth and inclusion from an ethical standpoint. Integrating these groups is not only morally significant, but also essential for the effectiveness, longevity, and positive consequences of municipal development programmes in Lebanon. Lebanon's long-term economic growth and advancement could be greatly aided by the country's emphasis on inclusion, which could lead to PPPs that significantly enhance people's standard of living.
Public-private partnerships constitute a well-liked strategy in Lebanon for improving municipal sustainability. Based on the analysis made by the International Growth Centre, Lebanon's deteriorating infrastructure has significantly hampered the expansion of the private sector and placed a major strain on the delivery of essential services. The grandiose Capital Investment Programme (CIP), which concentrates mainly on building infrastructure and repair, was introduced by the Lebanese government after it recognized this problem. The nation's government is establishing a regulatory framework for contract terms that it is going to employ for allowing private investors to build and/or manage infrastructures in a number of industries, which include electrical power, communication, and aerospace. PPPs are essential to presenting the investment programme (theigc.org, 2023). Dating back to the 1880s, Lebanon's PPP regulatory structure has expanded, and the most recent statute is Law No. 48/2017 Regulating Public Private Partnerships (c2e2.unepccc.org, 2023). The legislation lays out the legislative structure for contractual agreements that government entities will use for employing private investors to construct and/or operate infrastructures across several industries.
In accordance with the municipal decree law, municipalities and units of municipalities are legally permitted to organise collaborative initiatives with the private business community.The Municipal Union of Jezzine made investments in various eco-tourism schemes in collaboration with the private sector, including "La Maison de la Foret," including numerous initiatives that have been successfully carried out in combination with private businesses and sponsors (c2e2.unepccc.org, 2023).In addition, El Ghbaire Municipality has partnered with the business sector in order to finance a number of projects, notably a stadium for sports, a council for disaster, as well as a healthcare centre, among several others. These initiatives have improved local production, given locals more work options, and succeeded in bringing in money for the municipality and the coalition as a whole.
The Qabrikha Model Village in MarjayounQasa is a prime illustration of the ways in which the public and private sectors may collaborate to create sustainable municipal solutions. Residents of Qabrikha benefit from electricity for twenty-four hours every day of the week, courtesy of a 250kWh solar plant built there (c2e2.unepccc.org, 2023). The European Union (EU) provided funding for the photovoltaic cultivation, which the UNDP erected and Qabrikha's municipality is in charge of managing. Approximately 550 homes have been made able to use this renewable energy attributable to the installation of smart meters. Residents claiming the benefits coming through the recently installed solar farm have seen a 30% reduction in their electricity costs using the net-metering approach, in addition to the environmentally benign quality of the proposed solution.Since private capital can be used to expand the range of infrastructure that the municipality can provide while staying within its identical budgetary constraints, PPPs operating in different segments of Lebanon are also able to generate high-quality, cost-effective projects. Municipalities across the nation are enhancing their reach, swiftness, efficiency, connectedness, and cohesiveness by collaborating with business organisations. PPPs assist cities in staying below budget while funding initiatives like programmable illumination programs too.
Furthermore, Lebanon authorities also adopted understandings from the Municipal Public-Private Partnership Framework that has been created by the World Bank. Its purpose is to aid municipal governments in understanding and implementing PPPs while taking into account their unique requirements and constraints. The customizable framework comes with an executive overview, a guiding note, 20 topical recommendations on important topics, and a selection of project descriptions that showcase creative municipal PPP methods from across the globe. Additionally, this has given Lebanon an international description with linkages to its PPP components, PPP regulations, indicators, and global governing structures for the development of major infrastructure initiatives, measuring them against globally accepted best practices (ppp.worldbank.org, 2023). The Lebanese Republic represents the focus of the "Country Partnership Framework FY17–FY22" of the World Bank Group, which also focuses on boosting revenue generation and building the country's human resources. Hence, when assessing new projects, authorities in Lebanon take into account a combination of public and private viewpoints. This guarantees the fact that the collaboration is profitable, equitable, and practical for the two parties to the agreement. Private organisations frequently concentrate on monetary metrics and earnings, including their personal rates of return, appreciation of capital, and return on investment. Overall, relative to what can be accomplished by public sector provision alone, PPPs can assist municipalities in providing a higher and more consistent standard of service to consumers at an affordable cost.
4.2 Findings
A great number of ideas have been proposed, the majority of which concern the administration of public finances and the protection of the interests of commercial stakeholders. The concepts of cost-benefit analysis, value for money, and pricing are broken down and discussed in detail when it comes to the administration and effectiveness of public sector finances. …….The procedures for ensuring transparency and accountability do not adequately meet the requirements posed by these many stakeholders. Additionally, it does not appear that the concept of sustainable growth as a public good was taken into consideration at any point in the process. The environmental, social, and political aspects of sustainability are not effectively combined in the standards in a way that does sustainability justice. In addition, their perspective on the issues brought about by climate change has not been discussed at all. The individuals who will be reading the regulations for the PPP should be aware of the most recent proposals for how to deal with climate change and the PPPs.
Figure: Government investment
The recommendations do not place a sufficient amount of emphasis on getting the public involved as persons who both benefit from and make decisions regarding the public sector. As a consequence of this, they do not fully acknowledge the significant part that the general public can play in increasing the credibility of the options available and enhancing the quality and efficiency of infrastructure provision. It is therefore not a good idea to imagine that public-private partnerships (PPPs) may assist in the production of public goods by enhancing sustainability, taking into consideration the risks posed by climate change, and managing these risks in an appropriate manner. Due to the existence of these gaps, it is clear that the goals of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) are not fully congruent with either the Addis Ababa Action Agenda or the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at this moment. Due to this, the entities that are responsible for issuing the PPP guidelines have a good opportunity to examine them and determine the areas in which they could be improved upon. It would be of great assistance if the guidelines could provide a detailed explanation of the particular circumstances in which public-private partnerships (PPPs) should be sought out or avoided. With the implementation of this strategy, you may rest assured that public money are spent prudently because it will prevent those funds from being squandered on endeavours that aren't compatible with Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). If it is the case that public-private partnerships (PPPs) are only beneficial for the most straightforward of endeavours, then it would be more prudent to devote one's time and resources to other endeavours, such as expanding one's infrastructure in a more general sense, rather than concentrating on PPPs. PPPs, which stand for public-private partnerships, are, in the end, a category of building resources.
Figure 10: Different Sectors of PPP in Lebanon during 2000’s
(Source- Chalhoub, 2022)
To effect positive change in Lebanon, prompt and decisive action is required, with the primary goal being the acceleration of this process. In the short term, Lebanon needs to establish and carry out a strategy for macro-financial stability that is realistic, all-encompassing, and well-coordinated, and this needs to be done within the context of a plan for the country's macro-fiscal situation in the medium run. The suggested strategy would consist of the following subcomponents: (i) initiating a debt restructuring programme to make the country's debt more manageable over the long term; (ii) reorganising the financial sector to get banks back into business; (iii) establishing a new monetary policy framework to boost faith in the exchange rate; (iv) implementing gradual fiscal adjustment measures to boost faith in fiscal policy; and (v) putting in place reforms that will assist the economy in expanding.
In the medium term, it is highly important for Lebanon to devote more effort into developing stronger institutions, a better government, and a better economy, while also restoring the country's physical infrastructure. This is one of the most important things Lebanon can do. The sovereign government of Lebanon and its banking sector are both insolvent, and the country does not have sufficient assets denominated in a foreign currency.
By implementing a participatory planning process in the Municipalities of Lebanon and making use of applications in pilot-sized configurations, it will be possible to demonstrate the benefits of the suggested strategy.. This is especially helpful for examining how the effects of climate change manifest themselves in urban ecosystems. The characteristics like several evidences that have been discovered will assist in the development of a standard procedure that is adaptable to a wide variety of specific regional circumstances.
Chapter 5: Conclusion
Conclusion
5.1 Conclusion
The revival of the country would be highly reliant on urgent support from the international community as well as private investment. The rate at which the government and the Lebanese Parliament implement reforms to the country's operating system, including the budget, taxes, and social programmes, will determine how quickly the country will receive assistance and investments. If these items are lacking, there is a lower chance that the recovery and rebuilding efforts will be successful, which in turn makes the social and economic situations even more dire.
5.2 Recommendations
It is clear that public-private partnerships have a big effect on many areas of civic sustainability in Lebanon. These include the long-term health of the economy and the environment, as well as on reforming the government, building up people's skills, and ensuring everyone feels welcome. PPPs can help these areas, which will make Lebanon's cities and towns much more prosperous and resilient in the long run. This will also help the country as a whole. To improve economic growth and public health, make the environment more resilient, and make cities more sustainable generally, Lebanon's infrastructure needs to be built up and updated. The towns of Lebanon can make their futures safer and better by putting money into these areas first. To meet the needs of their communities, provide important services, and promote long-term growth, municipalities in Lebanon need to work on their ability to stay financially stable and pool their resources. Local governments in Lebanon can make their finances better by working with the country's people who have left the country, forming public-private partnerships, and learning better ways to handle money. Lebanon's towns need to put environmental sustainability and resilience at the top of their list of priorities if they want to protect their natural resources, keep their residents safe from environmental risks, and help the country reach its larger sustainability goals. The Lebanese government and international donors view PPP agreements as a potential economic lifeline for Lebanon's struggling economy.
The country as a whole might be more sustainable and resilient if cities in Lebanon pass rules that are good for the environment, use renewable energy, and get people involved in taking care of the environment. For Lebanon's long-term growth, it is important to support local sustainability through strong Public-Private Partnerships. By combining resources from the public and private sectors, cities and towns may be able to better meet their needs, speed up the building of infrastructure, improve service delivery, and keep their finances stable. The best way to work together is in an open, diverse way that is focused on doing good for society. Stakeholders are more likely to gain from PPP efforts for underprivileged communities if they are actively involved and encouraged to do so. Programmes that are built on inclusive procurement practises and thorough social impact studies make things easier to get, cheaper, and better for creating jobs and skills in the area. So, fighting for infrastructure that is easy for everyone to use and public spaces that last helps people feel like they belong and are part of a community. Public-private relationships are the only way for Lebanon's cities to grow, but only if the country is more open and willing to work together.
5.3 Future Scope
Most PPP implementations in Lebanon have been criticized, some were viewed as successes, while others were viewed as failures. The main takeaways from the aforementioned incidents were the lack of standardized project planning processes, the haphazard nature of the agreement design, and the poor tendering protocols. In order to increase the performance proportion of PPP projects, it was crucial to reduce the risk associated with projects through a solid regulatory structure for PPP that outlines the conditions of the business for the private and public sectors alike. PPPs, however, can largely assist towns in providing higher-quality, more dependable services at a lower cost relative to what can be accomplished by public sector performance alone.
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