Learn From Portugal: Embrace Slower Living and Vibrant City Life
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Israeli consultant Tamir Ben Shahar proposes adopting Portugal's urban and commercial strategies to combat high living costs and improve city life. He advocates for shorter business hours, pedestrian-friendly streets, and revitalized markets, arguing that Portugal's model fosters community and affordability. Ben Shahar criticizes Israel's high prices and neglected public spaces, suggesting that embracing Portugal's slower pace and focus on experiences can enhance Israeli urban environments.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Adopt Portugal's model of shorter business hours to foster cultural and family life, not hurt sales.
- Reclaim Israeli streets for pedestrians and open up waterfronts and markets for vibrant community life.
- Lower living costs in Israel by adopting Portugal's approach to market structure and competition.
- Revitalize Israeli markets and waterfronts by integrating food, design, and cultural elements.
- Prioritize pedestrian safety and public space accessibility, unlike the current situation in Tel Aviv.
An Israeli strategic consultant suggests adopting Portugal's approach to urban planning and commerce to improve quality of life in Israeli cities. The author, Tamir Ben Shahar, argues that high living costs in Israel are a structural choice, not an inevitability, citing significantly lower prices for goods and services in Portugal. He proposes several key changes, including reclaiming streets for pedestrians, establishing pedestrian zones similar to Tel Aviv's "Nahalat Binyamin" in every city center, and opening up waterfronts and markets.
Ben Shahar advocates for shorter business operating hours, suggesting closing shops by 6 or 7 PM. He believes this would not drastically reduce sales but would free up time for cultural, family, and social activities, promoting a "live slow" philosophy. He also points to Portugal's model of integrating businesses and public life onto sidewalks and beaches, contrasting it with Israeli cities where pedestrian spaces are often dominated by vehicles or restricted.
The consultant highlights Portugal's vibrant public spaces, such as Lisbon's LX Factory and markets, as examples of successful urban regeneration that foster community and commerce. He criticizes the neglect and poor management of Israeli markets and waterfronts, suggesting that adopting Portugal's integrated approach to food, design, and cultural markets could revitalize these areas. He also notes the absence of the overwhelming presence of two-wheeled vehicles seen in Tel Aviv, emphasizing that Portuguese streets prioritize pedestrians.
Furthermore, Ben Shahar criticizes the high cost of living in Israel, attributing it to a concentrated market structure and lack of competition, leading to prices for items like coffee and pizza being double or more than in Portugal. He suggests that adopting Portugal's model of prioritizing experiences over material possessions, fostering community engagement, and implementing more creative commercial signage could significantly enhance urban living in Israel.