New District Planned for Northern Rishon LeZion with Housing and Business Space
Translated & summarized from Bizportal by baba
The Israel Land Authority is planning a new urban district in northern Rishon LeZion called "Nahalat Tzafon," which includes approximately 1,550 housing units and 720,000 square meters of commercial space. The plan aims to boost local employment and reduce commuting, reflecting the city's policy of balancing housing with job creation. The proposal will be reviewed by the Central District Planning and Building Commission, after which public objections can be submitted before final approval and land tenders.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A new urban district, "Nahalat Tzafon," is planned for northern Rishon LeZion with 1,550 housing units.
- The district will also feature 720,000 square meters of commercial and business space.
- The plan aims to increase local employment and reduce commuter traffic.
- The proposal is moving to the Central District Planning and Building Commission for review.
- The development includes residential areas, a large business hub, and significant open spaces.
The Israel Land Authority (ILA) is advancing a new urban district plan, "Nahalat Tzafon," in northern Rishon LeZion, which will be presented for deposit to the Central District Planning and Building Commission. The plan covers approximately 486 dunams of agricultural land north of the Nahalat Yehuda neighborhood and proposes around 1,550 housing units and 720,000 square meters of commercial and business space. This initiative follows another ILA plan in western Rishon LeZion for approximately 1,800 new housing units. The "Nahalat Tzafon" plan features a significant ratio of nearly 470 square meters of business space per housing unit, with about 540,000 square meters designated for primary business use, such as offices and retail. This scale of commercial development aims to align with the municipality's policy to increase local employment opportunities and reduce commuter traffic to Tel Aviv and other employment centers. Rishon LeZion, Israel's fourth-largest city, has prioritized job creation alongside residential development, even in areas where developers sought to convert office space to housing. The proposed district will be divided by Yitzhak Shamir Street, with residential areas south of the street and a commercial and business hub to the north and along the eastern border, providing a prominent business facade for the city's northern entrance. Buildings will range from 8 to 12 stories, with some residential and business towers reaching 20 stories. A central urban area is planned around a light rail station, with buildings concentrated along a main axis parallel to Yitzhak Shamir Street, featuring commercial storefronts. The plan, designed by Buchman Hakmon Architects, rezones agricultural and existing residential land for mixed-use development. The plan also includes extensive open spaces, a linear park, and a promenade along Yitzhak Shamir Street, connecting urban nature sites. Public passages for pedestrians and cyclists, at least four meters wide with shade and vegetation, are also included, along with public buildings, sports fields, and new roads. The discussion at the district commission is an intermediate step; after deposit, objections can be filed, and final approval will enable land marketing through ILA tenders. The substantial amount of commercial space may spark debate, given office surpluses in other parts of central Israel and conversion plans elsewhere in Rishon LeZion.