Beit Shemesh to Build New Central District with 16,000 Housing Units

The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Commission has approved a large-scale plan to establish a new central district in Beit Shemesh. The approximately 1,000-dunam (247-acre) complex is slated to include around 16,000 housing units, alongside commercial and employment centers, public buildings, and open spaces. The plan, which has the backing of the mayor and the local committee chairman, aims to create a "15-minute city" where essential services are within walking distance.

The proposed district, located east of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Valley, will connect the older part of Beit Shemesh with its southern neighborhoods, creating urban continuity. The area is designated for development in the district's master plan. The design emphasizes walkability, accessibility, and quality of life, incorporating a central urban boulevard along Nachal HaDan street, which will be integrated as an urban nature site.

The housing component includes approximately 16,000 units in buildings up to nine stories high, featuring commercial storefronts. Around 1,000 of these units will be small, measuring up to 35 square meters. Additionally, the plan allocates about 400,000 square meters for commerce and employment, 250,000 square meters for public buildings, and over 300 dunams for open public spaces.

Advanced public transportation infrastructure, including mass transit systems and a light rail, is planned, along with pedestrian paths to ensure safe and convenient movement within the district. Dan Kinan, Jerusalem District planner at the Planning Administration, described the project as a flagship plan for the district, designed for optimal urban land use. Shira Talmi Babai, chairwoman of the Jerusalem District Commission, stated that the plan supports Beit Shemesh's growth into a major city with employment and civilian services, providing housing solutions in central Israel for a diverse population.