Urban Planning Crucial for Sustainable Cities, New Israeli Book Argues
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
A new Israeli book, "The Israeli City: Structure, Morphology, Sustainability," asserts that urban planning is key to creating sustainable cities. Researchers found that older, organically developed cities often exhibit better connectivity and accessibility than newer ones designed for cars. The study analyzed street networks and zone locations across Israel, concluding that improved connectivity and strategic placement of services are crucial for sustainable urban living. The book's authors include Prof. Yitzhak Omer, Dr. Orna Tzafrir-Reuven, and Dr. Nir Kaplan.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Urban planning, not just green tech, is vital for sustainable cities, according to a new Israeli book.
- Older Israeli cities generally show better connectivity and accessibility than newer ones, the book finds.
- Fragmented street networks hinder walkability and increase reliance on private vehicles, researchers state.
- The book "The Israeli City: Structure, Morphology, Sustainability" analyzes urban structures across Israel.
- Authors include Prof. Yitzhak Omer, Dr. Orna Tzafrir-Reuven, and Dr. Nir Kaplan.
A new Israeli book, "The Israeli City: Structure, Morphology, Sustainability," argues that fundamental urban planning decisions, not just green technologies, are essential for creating sustainable cities. The book, authored by Prof. Yitzhak Omer, Dr. Orna Tzafrir-Reuven, and Dr. Nir Kaplan from Tel Aviv University's Urban Space Analysis Lab, examines the physical, functional, and social structures of Israeli cities.
The research analyzed street networks, the location of commercial and industrial zones, and the distribution of social groups across all Israeli cities. The study emphasizes how a city's physical layout influences its functionality, inter-neighborhood connections, transportation options, and residents' lifestyles. "Environmental sustainability, in its most basic sense, begins with the conditions that the city's spatial structure allows," explained Kaplan, highlighting that fragmented street networks can make short distances difficult to traverse, underscoring the need for connectivity and accessibility beyond mere geographical proximity.
The findings suggest that older cities, which developed organically, often possess structural advantages supporting sustainability due to their more integrated and connected urban fabric. These cities tend to encourage daily routines less reliant on private vehicles. In contrast, many newer cities were designed with modernist principles, separating zones and prioritizing car traffic, which can hinder walkability and connectivity.
Examples like Ra'anana and Petah Tikva show high spatial integration, facilitating easy movement and access to commercial centers. Ra'anana even maintained and strengthened its historic urban core. However, cities like Ashkelon, Sderot, and Rosh Ha'ayin exhibit fragmented urban integration, indicating weaker connections between different city parts. While older cities generally fare better, exceptions exist, such as Netanya and Ness Ziona with lower integration, and newer cities like Or Akiva showing positive examples of aligning commercial zones with spatial accessibility.
The researchers conclude that improving urban sustainability requires structural considerations, including creating continuous connections between neighborhoods, reducing spatial barriers, and strategically locating services and commercial areas along accessible streets. They stress the importance of examining the entire urban street network rather than isolated areas, as the underlying planning framework is as vital as the city's appearance. A sustainable city, they argue, is measured by how well it connects the places where residents conduct their daily lives.