Environmental impacts during the construction of the Damascus metro

The identified negative impacts are minimal and of temporary duration because they will only occur during the construction stage of the metro project. After the end of construction activities, all conditions will return to normal.

These impacts include:

• Air quality – due to dust arising from earthworks and emissions from construction equipment and transportation trucks.
• Traffic congestion – due to construction works, roads will be temporarily closed and there will be some traffic detours.
• Noise – generated by construction equipment and machinery.
• Archaeology and cultural heritage – excavation works and movement of heavy machinery might affect archaeological resources. Extra attention will be paid to any archaeological sites that are found during excavation and to the movements of heavy machinery to prevent sites from being damaged.
• Expropriation and population resettlement – this impact is expected to be minimal since most of the metro line will be underground. Some parts will be elevated, but on wide avenues, with no required expropriation.

Archaeological and Historical Sites in Damascus City

The city of Damascus is well known for its numerous ancient buildings, ruins and artefacts, 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 EIA 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 artefacts. 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.