Jerusalem District Committee Approves 400 Apartments in East Jerusalem Despite Opposition
An Israeli planning committee has approved the construction of nearly 400 apartments in high-rise buildings in the Shuafat neighborhood of East Jerusalem. The plan, known as "North Quarter," designates a rare public plot of approximately 10 dunams (2.5 acres) for mixed-use development, including residential towers, commercial spaces, and employment areas. This represents a significant shift from a previous plan approved in 2022, which allocated the land solely for commerce and employment.
The organization "Bimkom, Planners for Human Rights" strongly opposed the plan, arguing that it does not cater to the needs or economic capabilities of Shuafat's residents. Bimkom stated that while the land is a valuable resource in East Jerusalem, the project fails to identify Shuafat residents as the target demographic and is not adapted to their socioeconomic characteristics. The organization highlighted that Palestinians constitute about 40% of Jerusalem's population, yet no new neighborhoods have been planned for them since 1967. Bimkom also criticized the proposed high-rise construction, deeming it visually and socioeconomically unsuitable for the area and potentially unaffordable for local residents.
The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee defended the plan, asserting that the location's proximity to the light rail system justifies increased density. They stated the project aligns with the policy of intensifying land use along light rail routes, particularly at this entrance point to Jerusalem from the east. The committee also noted that the land, previously approved for commercial and employment use, had remained undeveloped for years, and adding residential units could accelerate its realization. They emphasized that the apartments would be open to all city residents, not a specific population.
Bimkom's director for East Jerusalem, architect Shari Krounish, criticized the decision, stating, "Public vacant land is a rare resource in East Jerusalem. This is an opportunity to correct decades of planning discrimination." She added, "Instead of planning the area in a way that addresses the housing needs of the neighborhood's residents, they propose to land towers that are not adapted to the economic and social reality of its residents."
The District Committee also noted that Bimkom's objection was submitted after the legal deadline for submissions, rendering it invalid. They reiterated that the plan adds residential uses to an area already approved for commerce and employment, which is expected to encourage the project's implementation after years of stagnation.
