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Moti Kaplan
Problems
Relationship between Jerusalem and its Surrounding Open Spaces
Sustainable planning for open spaces in and around Jerusalem supports two of the basic functions and purposes of the city's open spaces.
1. To enhance and emphasize the unique status of the city. In this respect,
sustainable planning requires that Jerusalem's open spaces project a
physical image, thereby emphasizing its overall beauty and emotional,
as well as historic significance as a walled city, in addition to being the
capital of Israel, and an international religious center of universal
significance.
2. To provide common outdoor facilities, i.e., opportunities for recreational
and leisure time activities, an escape from the pressures of everyday life
in the congested and densely populated urban environment.
Guidelines
Hierarchy of Open Spaces - From Outer to Inner Perimeter
Open spaces in Jerusalem and its surrounding area comprise a continuous and hierarchical system with a distinct reciprocity between its parts, together forming the city's overall physical structure.
According to sustainable planning concepts, a whole comprised of ordered and organized parts is preferable to a whole made up of random parts.
Sustainable planning requires that open spaces be diversified in terms of their locations, functions, definitions, and purposes. Each type of open space will be characterized and regulated by a particular kind of interface with the environment, and will have a unique designation in the city master plan.
The network hierarchy includes five types of open spaces:
1. Regional Open Spaces: Areas which are not within the city limits, whose
status should be determined at a regional/national level. To the west -
this refers to the Jerusalem Hills, and the stretch of primarily unspoiled
green space in the Jerusalem Corridor until Sha'ar Hagai. To the east -
it includes the Judean Desert, and the natural open space surrounding the city in that direction.
2. Open Spaces Surrounding the City which Mark the City Limits:
Jerusalem is in need of defining permanent borders that can be
maintained over time. These borders need to be designated in urban
planning and are very significant with regard to marking the city gates,
entrances, and surrounding green belt.
3. Urban Open Spaces: Natural open spaces interspersed among built up
areas mirror Jerusalem's unique geomorphology. Forests and valley that
have remained unspoiled run naturally through the built up urban
environment, creating an uninterrupted reciprocity and balance between
the populated and surrounding open areas.
4. Urban Green Spaces (City Parks): This category includes the city's
major planned parks. Their function is to serve as a green lung,
providing a continuous, high quality outdoor framework for leisure time
activity, within a clearly defined and balanced urban network,
exemplifying the uniqueness of this outstanding city.
5. Local Green Spaces: These are public open spaces at a neighborhood
level, serving the everyday needs of the residential population living
nearby. This includes the neighborhood park, with playgrounds,
benches, grass, shade, trees, etc. Local green spaces must have easy
access, and function as "courtyards" designating enclaves of leisure time
activity and recreation for residents who would otherwise have little
exposure to green spaces.
Complementary Guidelines
Revitalization of the City Center, Embellishment of Open Spaces, Improving Environmental Awareness
1. Urban Revitalization -
Development planning for the city of Jerusalem
must promote revitalization and increased building density in existing
populated areas. In this way, the city will enjoy a refreshing and renewed
physical makeup, while ensuring the protection of open spaces, so vital
to a balanced urban structure.
2. Maximum Utilization of Open Spaces -
The proportion of open spaces
to built-up areas in Jerusalem is relatively low, by most standards. The
few green spaces that do exist must be preserved and considerably
embellished. It is equally important that open spaces should be made
more accessible to the public at large, ensuring maximum utilization,
increased capacity, and multi-purpose functioning.
3. Education and Awareness -
The open spaces in and around Jerusalem
reflect historic and cultural traditions, and represent some of the best
landscapes in the country. Respect for these unique sites and
landscapes must be transmitted to the public via the educational system,
in order to encourage school children from a very young age to become
aware of Jerusalem's unique environment, and develop a sense of
responsibility towards its improvement and conservation.
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Phillip Brandeis and Yael Kalu
Principles and Concepts
Urban Renewal alongside Historic Conservation
Preservation of Cultural and Natural Heritage - including monumental sites, buildings, views, natural formations, natural habitats, and nature sites (see the World Heritage Charter ).
Integrated Conservation Policy - reassignment of new functions to historic neighborhoods and buildings, and their integration into new development programs.
Preservation of Heritage - implies the preservation of the unique character and rich originality of a city, while maintaining a balance between the historic urban fabric, and modern construction and development (see the Charter of Venice).
Urban Renewal and Economic Development - based on the renovation and revitalization of the city's historic centers.
Cultural and Ecological Tourism - gives priority to every day life, and aims to preserve local character and atmosphere.
Current Situation
Lack of Planning, Careless Preservation, Damage to the Image of the City
Jerusalem lacks an up-to-date plan defining its historic borders. The existing city master plan is anachronistic, and virtually ineffective with regard to preservation efforts.
Despite the deadline stipulated in the Planning and Construction Law of 1996, which has long past by now, a list of buildings designated for preservation has not yet been compiled. Furthermore, the above law contains several clauses that may in fact be detrimental to the goals of preservation.
Property ownership is another matter that complicates the issue of preservation. Many properties cannot be traced to their owners, who may be absent or living abroad. There are many absentee landlords whose properties are occupied by protected tenants, etc.
Many neighborhood development plans include preservation requirements; however, these are often not effective as they lack specifications for funding, and ignore the social diversity .
Municipal inspection regarding illegal demolition and architectural changes to historic buildings is deficient. Buildings designated for preservation are often damaged legally by work crews because of incorrect interpretation of plans.
The level of inspection in the old city is outrageous. The characteristic domes and arches representing authentic Mamluk and Ottoman architecture, are rapidly disappearing.
The Old City's historic skyline is being threatened by modern development plans proposing the massive construction of high-risers, which will damage the appearance of Jerusalem and change its visual surroundings.
The situation is even worse in the Arab, and ultra-orthodox neighborhoods, where residents have little respect for preservation, and where municipal inspection is virtually absent.
At best, preservation efforts in Jerusalem are limited in number and carried out on an amateur basis. Many historic buildings in the center of town are deteriorating due to lack of proper maintenance. An increase in planning programs proposing the construction of massive high-rise projects threatens to destroy the historic and character of the city.
Problems
What must be done to preserve the Special Spirit of Jerusalem?
- Preservation of the natural heritage, including the city's open views, the
relationship between the city and its panoramic views, preservation of
existing visual corridors and the historic skyline.
- Balance between topography and the massive scope of new
construction.
- Preservation of the Old City and its historic skyline.
- Preservation of the traditional villages surrounding Jerusalem and their
natural settings.
- Preservation of the "New City" architecture, characteristic of buildings
erected outside the Old City walls from the late 19th century until 1948.
- Preservation of garden neighborhoods and buildings that represent
important examples of the history of modern Israeli architecture.
- Preservation of the city's historic tradition of construction in stone, and its
fine masonry work.
- Preservation of the human scale, and neighborly character of the city.
Guidelines
Preservation Policies, Promotion of a Culture of Preservation, Legislation, Compiling A Preservation Index, Updating the City Master Plan, Adoption of the Charter of Venice, the Economic Viability of Conservation
Promoting a Culture of Preservation - Establishing educational programs for children and adults, promoting information and advertising campaigns, founding a school of preservation, founding a Jerusalem center for sustainable planning
Legislation - Passing the "Jerusalem Preservation Law," to protect the unique universal value of the city, and prevent it from being spoiled by petty sectarian interests, and business/real estate wheeling and dealing.
Inventory of Conserved Buildings - Compiling a list of buildings that require preservation and making sure the buildings listed receive the required treatment. Assuring that the index becomes a statutory document invested with legal powers.
New Urban Outline Plan - Up-dating the Jerusalem Urban Master Plan to include sector plans for the protection of the Old City and its surrounding areas, the historic "New City" constructed before 1948, the traditional city skyline, and important landmarks that have national and international significance.
Integrated Preservation Policy
1. Identification of the Inner City as an historic complex including the New
City and the Old City (in this framework, about 80% of buildings would
be designated for conservation).
2. Promotion of multiple city centers, strengthening of existing centers, and
promotion of new centers throughout the city, each reflecting the
particular character of its individual location.
3. Enhancing the physical connection between the different historic centers
by constructing new pedestrian malls using innovative streetscape
designs, and cultivating a creative urban environment that shows respect
for its cultural heritage.
Urban Planning Reform - Promotion of sustainable urban planning principles in local transportation, open space, and conservation procedures, while encouraging public involvement and participation in the decision-making process.
Enlightened Preservation Policy - for the protection of the city's historic and natural assets, as a consequence to signing the World Heritage List. Adoption of the Charter of Venice, and other international agreements supporting appropriate and sustainable planning for historic cities.
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Gabriel Kurtis
Problems
City Limits, the City Center, Image and Quality of Life
City Limits - What are the city limits? Must we relate to different geo-political scenarios to answer this question, or can we simply look to the east?
Heart of the City - What is the city center comprised of? The heart of the city (or city center) has both an emotional and functional character. Planning guidelines for the city center must concentrate on the character of its vital core.
Urban Planning - Planning Jerusalem is almost impossible. What can feasibly be done, is apply new processes to the existing circumstances and ongoing flow of urban life.
The Effects of Suburbia - The trend of moving residential areas and businesses to the suburbs has resulted in draining the city center of its vitality. The city center has traditionally functioned as the main business and social focal point for the local residents. Degradation of the city center is marked by the absence of many national heritage landmarks in the business area.
Poor Image - The relocation of public services and businesses from the center of the city has resulted in damaging its image among the local population. It is no longer a desired venue for social or commercial interaction.
Neighborhood Clusters - The city is becoming more and more characterized by neighborhood clusters.
Urban Eyesores - Many of the new neighborhoods have permanent urban eyesores (i.e., the Mamila neighborhood).
Preference for Motor Vehicles - Pedestrian paths and scenic walks have been interrupted to make way for roads.
Guidelines
Preservation and Revitalization of Historic Neighborhoods, New Design for City Gates, New Streetscape Planning, Pedestrian Walks, Reevaluation of Old Planning Documents
Neighborhood Design - Neighborhoods must be preserved and redesigned to include increased building densities in populated areas.
In this context, plans should be drawn up for the preservation and renovation of the Mahaneh Yehudah Market, with emphasis on improving functional and sanitary conditions, while preserving the quaint little corners and alleyways.
The city center must be preserved and renovated with new infrastructure, and an emphasis on its different sub-activity areas. Areas such as Strauss St., Mea Shearim, the Chabashim neighborhood, and Geulah, must be preserved and redesigned to highlight their special architectural features, and important business functions, while strongly controlling building volumes, new architectural designs,
and the use of uncharacteristic construction materials. The buildings and alleyways in Morasha and the Notre Dame complex should also be preserved.
Design of the Entrances to the Inner City - Traffic congestion must be controlled at the Northeast Gate (the "Education Gate"), and architecturally valuable buildings preserved.
At the East Gate (the "Wall Gate") an interface mechanism should be developed to promote interaction between the western city, and the Old City. Comfortable, safe and aesthetic pedestrian paths need to be paved at the South Gate (the "Hotel Gate").
The trend to reduce the width of sidewalks in favor of increasing the width of roads contributes to a blurring of street and neighborhood borders, and should be arrested. The West Gate (the "Bezalel Gate") needs to be treated like the Terra Sancta Building. Similarly, sidewalk widths on Strauss Street should be preserved to enhance the appearance of building facades and public spaces.
Streetscape Design - Streetscape is composed of visual, architectural and mechanical elements situated in public spaces or bordering on them. These elements are the showcases of public spaces marking their significance, and differentiating them from the surrounding areas. An exclusive streetscape design should be used to mark the city center, attributing it with a sense of quality, and giving the passer-by a feeling of being in a very special place.
Reevaluation of Old Documents - Many old planning documents are based on a strong underlying understanding of the essence of the city. These documents should be sought out and reevaluated for use.
Follow-up - Plans that have not been implemented should be destroyed. Facilities undergoing renovation that has been frozen, should be allowed to continue operating conditionally, on a temporary basis.
Pedestrians - Uninterrupted pedestrian walks should be promoted and included in new projects, and existing pedestrian paths should be renovated.
Historic Sites - Historic sites, such as Ein Kerem, and Lifta, should be strengthened by renovation and development.
Suburban Areas - Existing suburban areas around the city should be enhanced with new functions.
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