The Coalition for Affordable Housing, formed in 2009, in which Bimkom is a member, seeks to develop and promote the concept of affordable housing in Israel and to assist in creating a renewed and vibrant urban model. The Coalition promotes innovative affordable housing solutions including social housing, public housing and other forms of subsidized housing … read more
Following the Interim Agreement between Israel and the PA (1995), the West Bank was divided into three administrative areas: Area C (60% of the West Bank): under full Israeli civilian and security control; Area B (22% of the West Bank): under Palestinian civilian control and Israeli security control; and Area A (18% of the West … read more
A village or neighborhood is “unrecognized” when the planning authorities don’t recognize its legality in planning terms – by refusing to approve a plan that would regulate land uses within its area. In such places, no building permits can be issued and all buildings are by definition illegal and prone to demolition. Unrecognized communities cannot … read more
The number of residents for which a plan is intended. Most outline plans are for 20 years ahead and take into consideration the projected size of the population within their areas in 20 years, whether from natural growth or immigration
Most land in Israel (some 93 percent) and much land in the West Bank is controlled and/or owned by the State. Housing projects, and whole towns and villages etc. are built on State land, with parcellation and planning, as well as development of infrastructure usually carried out either by the State or developers. By comparison, … read more
An innovation of the CA specifically for West Bank Palestinian villages. The main features of the SOPs are low level of specification and detail, small area of land and often high building densities designed to compensate for the small area within the blue line.
In 2002, Israel started the building of the separation barrier in the West Bank, with the professed purpose of stopping terrorist infiltration. However, some 80 percent of the route of the barrier is not on the Green Line (the pre-1967 border between Israel and the West Bank), but rather inside the West Bank. The barrier … read more
Once a plan has been provisionally approved by the appropriate planning and building committee, it must be submitted for public review (for at least 60 days). During this time, affected and interested parties may object to the plan. At the end of the deposition period, the objections are reviewed, hearings are held, and a decision … read more
A local Planning and building committee is responsible for issuing building permits, based on the approved local outline and/or detailed plans. In Israel, local committees have also the authority to approve some types of plans (e.g., a plan that changes building lines). They are also responsible for enforcement against illegal construction within their planning area … read more
Division of land into plots or parcels. Parcellation can be made for registration purposes alone or for as part of detailed planning. This can be a problematic issue when the land in question is communally owned (for instance by an extended family) or if ownership if not agreed on or regulated.
