Jabel Mukaber
For full publication click here: Planning Principles in Jabel Mukaber
The Jabel Mukaber ’Arab as-Sawahra neighborhood (hereafter, Jabel Mukaber) is situated in the southern part of Eastern Jerusalem, at the dwelling place of the as-Sawahra Bedouin tribe. The neighborhood is home to more than 20,000 residents, and covers an area of some 460 hectares (see: Illustration 1: Neighborhood location). Given the present planning situation, the residents of Jabel Mukaber have limited options for developing their neighborhood and building their homes. They suffer from shortage in houses, which is due, in part, to institutional planning failures that have created a broad range of problems. These include: lack of land reserves for development; an unreasonable proportion of lands zoned as open landscape, in relation to those designated for development; a disregard for local knowledge and avoidance of using this knowledge in determining the neighborhood’s planning needs; the fact that the data base used to draw up the existing statutory plans has become outdated even prior to their approval, due to the lengthy process of their preparation; the fact that the Municipality of Jerusalem failed to develop those areas zoned in the plans for public needs; difficulties in obtaining building permits; restrictive procedures implemented by the planning authorities, and holding back all private planning initiatives until a new statutory outline plan is prepared by the authorities. The residents of Jabel Mukaber wish to comply with the law, to build their homes under permits and to develop their neighborhood without being forced to initiate expensive legal proceedings in court. However, the planning institutions and government authorities have not responded, so far, to the housing needs of the residents of Jabel Mukaber. Consequently, residents of the neighborhood often have no other option but to build their houses without permits, even though this constitutes a violation of the law and puts their homes at risk of demolition. There is, therefore, an urgent need to re-plan the neighborhood, so that construction and development there can take place lawfully. The term “local knowledge” refers to the overall knowledge possessed by residents concerning various aspects, such as the social and planning reality in their neighborhood, their vision for the future, etc. Planning Survey and Directions for Planning and Development in Jabel Mukaber ’Arab as-Sawahra The planning authorities have recently acknowledged the planning failures that exist in the neighborhood, and are considering re-planning parts of Jabel Mukaber. However, for such re-planning to be relevant to the reality of the neighborhood and applicable on the ground, the needs and preferences of the residents must be addressed and considered. The aim of this survey is to outline the views of the residents of Jabel Mukaber about the planning future of their neighborhood. Based on this survey, we also discuss recommended directions for planning in Jabel Mukaber. From 2007 and through early 2008, a planning survey was undertaken in the neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber. The survey provided a wealth of data concerning the reality of daily life in the neighborhood, the existing statutory plans that apply there, the needs and preferences of the residents, as well as the hardships they encounter on a regular basis. As part of the survey – which is the first phase in the process of planning – we held discussions and consultations with residents, individuals and groups. However, as already said, this report provides only recommendations for planning directions and is not detailed enough to serve as a basis for appropriate statutory planning. Once planning by the authorities begins, further involvement of the residents will be necessary, and a special planning team for the neighborhood should be appointed.
For full publication click here: Planning Principles in Jabel Mukaber
The Jabel Mukaber ’Arab as-Sawahra neighborhood (hereafter, Jabel Mukaber) is situated in the southern part of Eastern Jerusalem, at the dwelling place of the as-Sawahra Bedouin tribe. The neighborhood is home to more than 20,000 residents, and covers an area of some 460 hectares (see: Illustration 1: Neighborhood location). Given the present planning situation, the residents of Jabel Mukaber have limited options for developing their neighborhood and building their homes. They suffer from shortage in houses, which is due, in part, to institutional planning failures that have created a broad range of problems. These include: lack of land reserves for development; an unreasonable proportion of lands zoned as open landscape, in relation to those designated for development; a disregard for local knowledge and avoidance of using this knowledge in determining the neighborhood’s planning needs; the fact that the data base used to draw up the existing statutory plans has become outdated even prior to their approval, due to the lengthy process of their preparation; the fact that the Municipality of Jerusalem failed to develop those areas zoned in the plans for public needs; difficulties in obtaining building permits; restrictive procedures implemented by the planning authorities, and holding back all private planning initiatives until a new statutory outline plan is prepared by the authorities. The residents of Jabel Mukaber wish to comply with the law, to build their homes under permits and to develop their neighborhood without being forced to initiate expensive legal proceedings in court. However, the planning institutions and government authorities have not responded, so far, to the housing needs of the residents of Jabel Mukaber. Consequently, residents of the neighborhood often have no other option but to build their houses without permits, even though this constitutes a violation of the law and puts their homes at risk of demolition. There is, therefore, an urgent need to re-plan the neighborhood, so that construction and development there can take place lawfully. The term “local knowledge” refers to the overall knowledge possessed by residents concerning various aspects, such as the social and planning reality in their neighborhood, their vision for the future, etc. Planning Survey and Directions for Planning and Development in Jabel Mukaber ’Arab as-Sawahra The planning authorities have recently acknowledged the planning failures that exist in the neighborhood, and are considering re-planning parts of Jabel Mukaber. However, for such re-planning to be relevant to the reality of the neighborhood and applicable on the ground, the needs and preferences of the residents must be addressed and considered. The aim of this survey is to outline the views of the residents of Jabel Mukaber about the planning future of their neighborhood. Based on this survey, we also discuss recommended directions for planning in Jabel Mukaber. From 2007 and through early 2008, a planning survey was undertaken in the neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber. The survey provided a wealth of data concerning the reality of daily life in the neighborhood, the existing statutory plans that apply there, the needs and preferences of the residents, as well as the hardships they encounter on a regular basis. As part of the survey – which is the first phase in the process of planning – we held discussions and consultations with residents, individuals and groups. However, as already said, this report provides only recommendations for planning directions and is not detailed enough to serve as a basis for appropriate statutory planning. Once planning by the authorities begins, further involvement of the residents will be necessary, and a special planning team for the neighborhood should be appointed.
