Disney Suq

A source who does not want to be identified sent me this:  "Your recent post ("damascus") reminded me of what one of my colleagues shared with me while we were researching Syria in 2008-9. His project dealt with urban history and he got to know a lot of the folks at GTZ, the German technical assistance organization that, as I understand it, is facilitating most of the "renewal" projects in the old city.   Apparently he came across some plans that weren't meant to be made public or seen by anyone other than the higher-ups at GTZ and the Ministry of Cultural which essentially indicated that approval had been granted for more than SIXTY new hotels/guesthouses in the Old City and in excess of ONE HUNDRED more restaurants, totals ON TOP of the existing development that has been going on over the last five years of so. Basically, this means that the Old City is being turned into an orientalist Disney Land for all the new tourists you're seeing while in Syria.  Much of this development is/will occur in the old homes owned by (the remaining) Jewish and some Christian families or people without the right kind of wasta to keep the pressure off them to sell.  Please omit my name if you chose to reference this on you blog."