The Marker, Gili Melnitsky, 12.08.2020
The Northern Planning and Building Committee of the Planning Administration has approved for deposit outline plans for the localities of Sakhnin and Araba in the Galilee, which are expected to allow the construction of 13.6 thousand new apartments in accordance with the goals of the 2040 strategic plan . At the same time, detailed plans are currently being promoted by the Northern District Planning Bureau and the Planning Administration for complexes defined within the master plans , amounting to approximately 6,400 housing units in Sakhnin and approximately 5,300 housing units in Araba, in privately owned and mixed areas. The plans are in various planning stages, some of which are already in force or are expected to take effect in the coming months and allow for the implementation and execution of the approved outline plans.
In Sakhnin, the master plan includes an addition of 7,720 housing units, mainly in the north and east of the city, which will provide a solution for doubling the population from 31,000 residents today to 60,000 residents in 2040. The plan defines an addition of 3,015 dunams to the existing development areas and includes the preservation and restoration of the core of the ancient village as an area that combines local heritage, housing, commerce and tourism. In addition, the addition of residential, commercial and public uses is planned in the Old City, as well as the development and strengthening of the main commercial axis and the establishment of public institutions in the city.
The plan includes the preservation of the al-Mal Valley as an open agricultural area, as well as the development of green areas of approximately 1,300 dunams for leisure and recreational purposes. The plan was promoted in collaboration with the Sakhnin Municipality and accompanied by an inter-ministerial steering committee, and was organized by a multidisciplinary planning team led by architect Yair Avigdor, an architectural and urban design range.
In Araba, the master plan includes the addition of 5,900 new potential housing units, which should address the increase in the locality's population from 24,000 today to 37,000 by 2040. It is estimated that the realization percentages are low in Israeli society, partly due to the large number of privately owned land. Therefore, this is an addition of only 13,000 residents.
The plan includes an addition of 4,735 dunams to the existing development areas of the locality, including four new development complexes and an employment and commercial center in the northern part of the locality. The plan was promoted in collaboration with the Araba Municipality, and accompanied by an inter-ministerial steering committee, and was conducted by a multidisciplinary planning team headed by architect Doron Tzafrir, Farhi-Tzafrir Architects.
In addition, the plan includes the establishment of a spatial employment area near Road 805 Atid, which will be used by all the authorities in the Sakhnin Valley (Araba, Deir Hanna and Misgav).
Michal Merrill of the Local Planning Division of the Planning Administration said: "Promoting master plans in the minority sectors in the north is part of the National Administration's extensive work and progress in promoting master plans in Arab society localities, and creating planning infrastructure and development horizons that will improve the quality of life for Arab residents." The rapid advancement of approved plans, by virtue of which it will be possible to issue building permits. "
Ari Ilan, Chairman of the District Committee, stated: “In recent years, the North District Committee has been leading a strategic move that changes the reality of Arab and Druze society. Sakhnin and Araba are flagships, being major cities and important on every scale, alongside Nazareth, Shefar'am, Tamra and other large villages - such as Kfar Kanna, Kfar Manda and Jadeida-Makr - that are undergoing an accelerated process of urbanization. All this in order to establish a modern planning infrastructure, which enables economic growth and prosperity, the construction of quality residential neighborhoods for private landowners and landless people on state lands. By the end of 2022, there will not be a single locality in the Northern District with more than 5,000 residents without an updated comprehensive master plan. "