Damascus Metro
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Damascus, Syria |
| Transit type | Rapid transit |
| Number of lines | 4 proposed |
| Number of stations | 17 proposed |
| Daily ridership | 700,000 |
| Operation | |
| Operation will start | 2016 |
| Technical | |
| System length | 16.5 km (10.3 mi) |
The Damascus Metro (Arabic: مترو دمشق) is a proposed Metro line network in Damascus, Syria. The Green Line would be the first stage in the development of this future public transport network.
Feasibility studies carried out by international consultants in 2002 have designed what could be the future Metro network, whose first stage will be the Green Line, between Moadamiyeh and Qaboun. The other means of public transportation (bus, microbus, train) will also be integrated to this future network, to optimize the synergy between these various modes.
Feasibility study
The city of Damascus is well known for its numerous ancient buildings, ruins and artifacts, especially in Old Damascus. According to the first stage of public consultation, the impact of the project on these historical sites was a big concern for a lot of people. The European Investment Bank will propose mitigation measures which will include the implementation of archaeological digs along the proposed corridor prior to the construction of the metro. These digs will help to identify the presence of potential archaeological relics which will therefore be avoided during the construction stage. If archaeological ruins are identified during the construction of the metro, the necessary steps will be taken in order to protect and preserve the artifacts. Archaeological ruins found during the construction of the metro could be displayed in the new stations, as is the case for metro projects around the world such as in Athens, Paris and Moscow. These will improve the aesthetics of the stations and will attract visitors.
Construction
The Green Line project has involved key partners from the beginning of the preliminary studies. This partnership includes Damascus Governorate (Directorate of Traffic and Transport Engineering), the European Investment Bank, and the French-Lebanese joint-venture carrying out the implementation options study.
the Governorate of Damascus, through the Directorate of Traffic and Transport Engineering, is in charge of supervising this project from the preliminary studies to the operation phase. The Metro project management unit is currently managing the preliminary studies, which is being carried out by international consultants.
Social impact
The study aims at foreseeing the potential impact of the “Metro Green Line” on Damascus population in general, and the population in the agglomerations surrounding the metro line in particular. It will be based on two major activities:
- In depth socio-demographic analysis of the population in the agglomerations surrounding the metro line, and potential impact of the line on the living conditions of the concerned population.
- Field surveys covering the affected households, housing units, and economic establishments.
The socio-demographic analysis will be based mainly on the population and housing census, conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics in 2004. It is expected to undertake six limited “censuses” to cater for the potential households to be displaced and housing units and economic establishments to be destroyed, depending on the different scenarios of final metro routing. In addition a few workshops will be organized with the main stake holders, representing government officials and Non Governmental Organizations representatives, to present the findings of the study, and to finalize its recommendations. Based on all these activities, the final report will be presented.
Funding
The preliminary studies are funded by a grant from the European Union, under its Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP). In January 2010, The European Investment Bank has expressed readiness to contribute about 300 million euros to help finance the metro project and the French government has pledged to contribute 250 million euros.
Lines
After completion, Damascus metro will include 4 lines, The Green line (due in 2016), The Red Line, The Yellow Line, and The Blue Line. The Green Line will connect dense residential areas (Moadamiyeh, Mezzeh) with major centers of activity (universities, city center). It is the busiest corridor, and follows the major road axes. It will link major transport hubs (Sumariuyah bus station, Qaboun Pullman station, and the future Hejaz Train Station).