2. Urban Development of Palmyra, Post-war Damage Assessment and Recovery Policy

Chapter Two analyses the urban development of Palmyra, Syria, where historical heritage has been severely damaged by conflict. The war in Syria wrought devastation upon numerous significant archaeological sites and monuments dating from the Prehistoric, Byzantine, Roman and Islamic periods. Against this backdrop, Ousama Rumayed focuses on the post-war period, outlining the recovery policy to preserve the city’s archaeological park and monuments. Through a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis, the author identifies internal and external factors favourable to securing the future of this heritage and harnessing its vast cultural and socio-economic potential.