Summary: IPCC Community and Advocacy Planning in East Jerusalem

East Jerusalem faces significant challenges due to inadequate zoning and biased urban planning policies that severely hinder development in Palestinian neighborhoods. The Israeli municipality's general town plans restrict land use development for Palestinians, leading to physical fragmentation, environmental...

Summary: IPCC Community and Advocacy Planning in East Jerusalem

East Jerusalem faces significant challenges due to inadequate zoning and biased urban planning policies that severely hinder development in Palestinian neighborhoods. The Israeli municipality's general town plans restrict land use development for Palestinians, leading to physical fragmentation, environmental degradation, stalled growth, and social disintegration.

IPCC Intervention and Approach

Since 2007, the International Peace and Cooperation Centre (IPCC) has implemented the "Focus on Urban Intervention to Reduce Tension in East Jerusalem" project, with support from the UK Consulate, EU, France, and Belgium.

Goals:

• Sustain and empower Palestinian resilience in East Jerusalem.
• Secure Palestinians’ right to the city through urban planning and advocacy initiatives.

Key Interventions:

1. Conflict Reduction and Development Tools:
• Halt home demolitions through urban planning measures.
• Introduce planning tools to encourage growth and reduce tensions.
2. Detailed Urban Planning:
• Prepare outline plans for sub-neighborhoods and general plans for larger clusters.
• Increase building density and allocate land for housing, public spaces, and infrastructure.
• Facilitate economic growth through designated zones for commerce, tourism, IT, and employment.
3. Community Empowerment:
• Educate and engage communities to use urban planning as a tool for defending Palestinian rights.
• Organize workshops, open days, and meetings to build trust and awareness.
• Establish elected representative committees in at least eight communities to guide local development.

Achievements and Impact

1. Planning as a Tool for Advocacy:
• Shifted community attitudes from suspicion to engagement by reframing urban planning as a defense mechanism for rights and resilience.
• Hundreds of community members actively participating in advocacy planning processes.
2. Detailed and Outline Plans for Key Areas:
• Nine Outline Plans for: Qalandia, Addasseh, Hai Sweh, Ash Shayyah, Deir al Amud and Al Mintar, Ein a Loze, Jabal Mukabber, Asahel (At Tur), and Tal el Fol.
• Ten Detailed Plans for: Addasseh, Ashkareyeh, Ash Shayyah, Ein a Loze, Deir al Amud and Al Mintar, Jabal Mukabber, Wadi Qaddum, Ashkareyeh, Asahel (At Tur), and Tal el Fol.
3. Dual advocacy and Technical Approach:
• Advocacy to halt demolitions and secure development rights.
• Urban planning to support natural growth and foster socio-economic stability.
4. Improved Community Resilience:
• Advocate for expansion areas for growth, improved housing, and public services.
• Increased awareness of the potential for urban planning to mitigate displacement pressures and ensure equitable development.

Downloads

East Jerusalem IPCC Community and Advocacy Planning
IPCC planning Area C and East Jerusalem

Israel planning during covid