Jerusalem
View Jerusalem In+formal in a larger map
East Jerusalem is the political term referring to the area, included in Jerusalem’s municipal borders, which is beyond the green line. Geographically, this area doesn’t only include the city’s Eastern parts, but also its Northern and Southern parts. Besides the neighborhoods that were under the Jordanian authorities between 1948 – 1967, these areas include 28 villages that weren’t considered within the Jerusalem borders up until 1967. The contemporary municipal borders are mainly a product of demographic interests and considerations. Geographical considerations and town planning had a marginal role in its definition. It expresses the wish of Israel to control as much land as possible of what was until then Jerusalem, and include the least number of Palestinians in the new municipal area.
In June 1967, Israel has annexed 70,500 dunam of Eastern Jerusalem and the West Bank to Jerusalem. . More than a third of that area has been expropriated since then by the Israeli government. Most of the expropriated lands were owned by Palestinians. Tens of thousands of living units were built on the expropriated land for the Jewish population of Jerusalem, and not one for the Palestinians, who are 33% of the city’s population. At the same time, the Israeli authorities limited private building initiatives by the Palestinians in the Palestinian neighborhoods.
With the annexation of East Jerusalem, all Jordanian master plans were canceled, and a planning vacuum was formed. In the early 80’s the Jerusalem’s municipality decided to prepare new master plans for all the Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. Most of these plans were completed, and only a few are still in the phases of preparations and approval. The most noticeable character of these plans is the extensive areas that were designated as “Green Zones”, where any kind of building is prohibited. Currently, only 11% of East Jerusalem lands (after the annexation) are available for building, mainly in the existing built areas. . Moreover, the municipal master plans allocate a very low building percentage compared with the Jewish neighborhoods.
The Jewish neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem are planned and constructed as disconnected entities detached from their surroundings. Hence, East Jerusalem comprises fragmented housing areas rather than a continuous urban fabric. The concept of shared urban space is also lacking in the master plans of Palestinian neighbourhoods. Small areas are designated to public needs, either public institutions, or roads and public open areas. . Even when such lands are allocated in master plans, the public needs are seldom met by the authorities leaving these expropriated lands undeveloped and neglected. As time passes, the desperation for living space grows and those lands are covered with housing units by the Palestinian inhabitants.
Building limitations and tough living conditions in Palestinian neighbourhoods have caused people to leave Jerusalem, even at the expense of losing their status as “permanent residents”. This status allows them to live and work in Israel, as well as other social rights. Very often, leaving their houses means losing their rights of land ownership, since legally proving historical ownership is extremely difficult.
Others decide to stay and are forced to confront the severe housing shortage. In the absence of legal options to build and of public housing projects, the residents are forced to build their houses illegally. It is estimated that throughout the years 20,000 illegal housing units have been constructed. These houses are often built very densely with no comprehensive planning and no consideration for of the common urban spaces. Hence, the neighbourhoods lack appropriate public functions and options for future development are limited. Illegal housing units receive no municipal services such as sewage, electricity, water, and telephone infrastructures. Residents end up having to find alternative solutions that are often dangerous. Owners of illegal buildings receive demolition orders, fines, and court orders. Many houses are demolished by the authorities. In recent years about 100 houses per year have been demolished, and hundreds of people in East Jerusalem have lost their homes.
 Broken Space |
 Community Center, Jabel Mukaber |
 Cultural Center, Jabel Mukaber |
 Himo Family |
 Infrastructure Builds infrastructure |
 Kidron Valley Cultural Center |
 Planning in Jabel Mukaber |
 School in Arab Al Sawahre |
 Slit Expansion |
|||