In December 2004, the historic Eastern Harbor came under serious threat. Massive concrete blocks were placed along parts of the waterfront under the pretext of protecting the retaining walls of the Corniche against waves and sea currents. Intellectuals and NGOs concerned about the city, led by the Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center, organized a campaign against this destruction. Appeals were sent to the Governor of Alexandria, the Minister of Culture, the Director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and international organizations to stop placing these concrete blocks and to remove what had been already placed.

The culmination of this campaign was a seminar held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on 14 February 2005, to which the public and various stakeholders were invited, including representatives of the Governorate of Alexandria, the Alexandria Local Council, the contractor of the project, the Friends of the Environment Society, the Agency for Environmental Protection and the Agency for the Protection of Shores and Coasts. Presentations were made by specialists in urban and city planning, archeology, geological oceanography, and coastal engineering. The final recommendations of the seminar were sent to the Governor of Alexandria and the Minister of Culture.