The last century saw the establishment of various institutions that organized building construction in Lebanon as well as the formation of academic programs in architecture. The number of architects has grown from the handful who came from abroad in the first quarter of the twentieth century. With a skill known only to few, and forming a sophisticated class of professionals they, together with structural engineers, maintained exclusive legal access to the making of buildings. Architects have been involved in all matters of physical design, developing broad planning regulations as well as micro-scale spatial regulations that covered all Lebanese territory. On the whole, Lebanese architects have been 'successful' in establishing for themselves a profession that has secured positions on state committees concerned with the built environment. They have also been successful in distinguishing themselves from other engineers and contractors, legitimizing a specific role for themselves in the building market. These achievements were always triggered by a concern for the betterment of the built environment, best exemplified by Assem Salam's plea in 1966 to save Beirut from its chaotic development, caused by buildings that are not designed by architects.