The Jerusalem Post: June 22, 2017 Qalqilya has been affected by increasing urban density, as it is exceedingly difficult for Palestinians to build in sections of the city in Area C, and insufficient land to allow for future growth was placed within the portions of the city under PA control in the Oslo Accords Read … read more
Haaretz: April 6, 2017 East Jerusalem neighborhoods beyond the Separation Barrier have been largely neglected by the municipality yet also less affected by demolitions, making the move to demolish several residences in Al-Zaim all the more unusual. Most of Al-Zaim is located within Area C, although the dividing line is not demarcated, which leaves the … read more
Haaretz: December 27, 2016 Data released to the public in accordance with a request filed by Bimkom shows that between 2014 and 2016 the Civil Administration approved 53 applications for building permits, while demolishing 983 buildings over the same period. Read the article here.
Haaretz: March 02, 2016 Planning authorities’ are moving forward with efforts to develop a landfill in the area where French Hill, Isawiya, and the Shuafat refugee camp meet. The plan has faced opposition from residents of all three communities due to concerns that the landfill would have adverse environmental and health affects to the area. … read more
Ir Amim and Bimkom are pleased to announce the launch of our joint report, “Deliberately Planned: A Policy to Thwart Planning in the Palestinian Neighborhoods of Jerusalem.” The new report demonstrates how the Israeli authorities deliberately delay and ultimately undermine the approval of plans that actually allow for construction in the Palestinian neighborhoods of Jerusalem. … read more
Over the course of almost fifty years, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Israeli national planning authorities have dealt extensively with planning in Jerusalem, including the planning of the Palestinian neighborhoods of East Jerusalem. And yet, despite the many plans that have been drawn up and approved in this period, the planning situation in these neighborhoods … read more
An article published in Haaretz newspaper about Bimkom’s report on how to promote urban renewal which is responsible and takes into account the needs of current residents. The Bimkom report urges a change in policy with respect to urban renewal in the country, whereby its primary goal would become “to upgrade the living conditions of existing residents and to ensure the possibility that they will be able to enjoy the fruits of that upgrading.”
In the Palestinian neighborhoods of East Jerusalem at least 20,000 housing units have been built without permits, making them vulnerable to demolition, while an estimated 10,000 more units are needed. Moreover, there is a serious shortage of schools and classrooms, health clinics, adequate roads, playgrounds and sports facilities, and areas zoned for business activity. Bimkom strives to promote appropriate plans that meet residents’ needs, … read more
