In post-conflict Syria, the rush to attract foreign investments and donor funds risks repeating past mistakes if guided solely by short-term gains and donor-driven definitions of “utility.” This commentary (part of a series being developed LUGARIT on the subject) argues that recovery investments must be assessed through a multidimensional and nationally grounded framework of public utility—one that moves beyond humanitarian input metrics to capture longer-term societal, institutional, and economic outcomes.

It introduces five interrelated definitions of public utility—welfare, economic productivity, fiscal resilience, asset stewardship, and social trust—to guide investment priorities. Each provides a distinct but complementary lens to evaluate whether projects contribute to broader public value. Crucially, the commentary critiques both laissez-faire liberalization and overly rigid regulation, advocating instead for a middle ground: pragmatic, transparent, and adaptable policies tailored to Syria’s recovery needs.

The paper warns that the absence of a clear national framework risks entrenching cronyism, elite capture, and donor fragmentation. It calls for an immediate, phased strategy—beginning with the articulation of national investment criteria and evolving through iterative policy development. This includes convening a broad national dialogue, issuing guiding white papers, and embedding performance standards into Public-Private Partnerships and aid agreements.

Ultimately, the commentary asserts that recovery is not simply about rebuilding infrastructure but about restoring public trust, institutional coherence, and long-term resilience. Measuring public utility must account for job multipliers, fiscal returns, environmental sustainability, and equitable access—not just physical outputs or capital inflows. To that end, both Syrian authorities and international donors must recalibrate their roles: the former by embedding utility metrics into policy and legislation, the latter by aligning aid with locally defined goals and supporting accountability mechanisms. Reclaiming public utility is thus both a technical and political imperative for building an inclusive and sustainable post-conflict Syria.