Reforming Syrian Building Regulations: A Comparative Analysis and Strategic Roadmap

Executive Summary

Introduction

Syria is at a crucial point. It faces the huge task of rebuilding after over a decade of conflict and the severe earthquakes of 2023. The country’s buildings and infrastructure have been badly damaged. Old problems in building practices and a lack of proper oversight have become very clear. This report reviews Syrian building regulations in detail. It also compares them with rules from Jordan, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Syria’s current building rules, including the Syrian Arab Code for seismic design, are often old. More importantly, they are rarely enforced. This is due to the long conflict, weak government systems, and widespread corruption. The 2023 earthquakes tragically showed the deadly results of buildings that did not follow the rules. Tens of thousands died, and there was widespread destruction. Also, urban planning and property laws passed during the conflict, like Law No. 23 of 2015 and Law No. 10 of 2018, have been criticized. They might harm Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) rights, creating big problems for fair rebuilding.

Our comparison shows that other countries have more advanced, regularly updated, and strongly enforced building codes. Key lessons from these countries include the importance of:

• Independent and skilled groups for developing and overseeing codes (e.g., Israel, Jordan).

• Gradual adoption of modern international codes (e.g., UAE).

• Strong national rules for seismic design (e.g., Greece, Italy, Cyprus), energy efficiency (e.g., EU countries, UAE), fire safety, and accessibility.

• Combined urban renewal plans linked to seismic safety (e.g., Israel, Cyprus).

However, Syria must carefully adjust these international models to its unique post-conflict situation. This is especially true for its HLP crisis and limited government capacity.

Recommendations

This report offers several key recommendations for a full reform of Syrian building regulations. These focus on:

• Stronger Legal and Institutional Foundations: Create an independent National Building Code Authority. Urgently address HLP rights to ensure fair rebuilding for everyone.

• Gradual Technical Updates: Immediately adopt codes focused on saving lives, like seismic and fire safety rules. Then, add standards for energy efficiency, sustainability, and accessibility.

• Building a Culture of Compliance: Rebuild enforcement systems. Focus on improving capacity, honesty, professional responsibility, and strict penalties for not following rules.

• Embedding Resilience: Update codes based on current risk assessments (for earthquakes and climate change). Connect these updates with land-use planning.

• Championing Sustainability: Make energy and resource efficiency mandatory. Pay special attention to using Syria’s strong solar potential.

• Investing in People: Start large-scale training programs for everyone involved in the construction sector.

• Fostering Collaboration: Involve the public, private sector, and international partners in the reform process.

Building a strong and sustainable environment in Syria is hard but necessary. By learning from the best international practices and adapting solutions to its specific needs, Syria can create a safe and high-quality foundation for its reconstruction. This will help its people thrive long-term and support the nation’s sustainable development.