On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion in the Port of Beirut devastated the city, killing at least 200 people, wounding thousands, and displacing around 300,00, injuring over 7,000 others, causing US$3.8-4.6 billion in material damage. (World bank, 20 The onset of COVID-19 exacerbated an already severe financial crisis that was already affecting Lebanon. The explosion exposed the instability and inconsistent development plans of Beirut. This thesis looks at how the explosion affected Beirut's social, economic, and urban settings, with a focus on the city's destroyed port. It also looks at how the aftermath was managed and how private organizations played a crucial role in restoration efforts.