Globes, Guy Nardi,  22.09.2020

The Tel Aviv District Planning and Construction Committee has entrusted the urban renewal plan of the Givat Rambam neighborhood in Givatayim . This is a detailed plan, promoted by the Givatayim Municipality and the Urban Renewal Authority. The plan, which treats the neighborhood as a distinct urban entity with a unique urban identity, defines a renewal pattern in relatively low-rise construction in the old neighborhood center. On the outskirts of the neighborhood, the plan allows for construction clearance and high-rise construction that includes a mix of uses . The plan allows for the addition of up to about 3,827 housing units to the 3,047 existing housing units in the neighborhood.

The Givat Rambam neighborhood was founded in 1933 by the industrialist Israel Tiber, at the "Tel El HaVa" site. At the top of the hill stands the water tower and next to it, Tiber's house. . The neighborhood was established as an independent unit and in 1942 was merged with 5 other neighborhoods under the name Givatayim.

The new plan divides the neighborhood into sub-complexes. At the top of the hill and on the north wall of Tiber Street, construction of up to 5 floors will be possible; Along Rambam Street up to 8 floors; in the perimeter of the squares (Rambam and Negba) on Rambam Street, in a state of unification of 4 plots, construction up to a height of 10 floors, as well as in the complex between Rambam, Negba and Tiber streets. In the other parts of the neighborhood, construction of up to 7 floors will be possible. Along Weizmann Street, three urban renewal complexes have been established in which it is possible to build up to a height of 15 floors; Along Derech Hashalom, in three complexes, the evacuation and construction of towers is proposed, which also include trade, employment and public institutions, including two schools. A similar plan is also proposed for the area between Rabin Road and Rachel Street. The plan also includes conservation prescriptions for the sites and historic compound at the top of the hill.

"The Rambam neighborhood has a special character, so it was decided to make a specific plan for it."

The mayor of Givatayim, Ran Konik , clarifies that the plan was prepared so that the character of the neighborhood will be preserved: "Givatayim is built of neighborhoods. The Rambam neighborhood has a special character, so it was decided to make a specific plan for it." It has a special topography, textured streets with trees and unique vegetation. In its high area there are a number of buildings for conservation. We preserved the character of most of the neighborhood in the form of a plot renewal, that is, in a kind of addition and not in the connection between buildings. On the road that borders Tel Aviv, we were able to ascend. "

Konik clarifies that although he has opposed all these years to urban renewal in the style of TAMA 38, this is a different style of renewal: "TAMA is very bad for Givatayim, and in the end I was right. Apparently, in the end the plan was canceled throughout the country. "Everything you do in Givatayim is not simple. The program refers to an old city that wants to renew and allow people to live in sheltered buildings. The program offers, thanks to the connection between plots, building towers and elevation, creating schools and gardens."

Are you not afraid that exercised disappear Scshtocnit unique nature of Givat Rambam?
"No, because most of the neighborhood, and especially in its high, we preserve the character of the place and do not let destroy blocks and get some altitude. Each Gush Dan will rise in height over the next twenty years. Givatayim, too, will not forever remain a city of 60,000 people. If you want to regenerate, you have to do it right. "

Tel Aviv District Planner, architect Hava Erlich-Roginsky, noted that this is an innovative, "second generation" plan for neighborhood renewal plans, in accordance with the new outline that will replace TAMA 38. The plan allows for the issuance of permits for renewal in the individual lot, along with the definition Complexes that need to be redesigned, thus creating long-term certainty and encouraging renewal. "

Hava Erlich / Photo: Petah Tikva Municipality

The chairman of the Government Authority for Urban Renewal, Haim Avitan, stated that "the Givat Rambam program is one of the three urban renewal programs promoted in Givatayim, funded and co-sponsored by the Government Authority for Urban Renewal, at a cost of NIS 2.5 million. The plan is very important." "Of apartments in a city where there are no land reserves. All this while taking into account the perimeter axes, public spaces, traffic axes and more."

The plan was prepared by a team led by architect Yechiel Korin.