Israel Advances Major Urban Renewal Plan for Haifa Bay with 70,000 New Housing Units
The National Council for Planning and Building in Israel has approved advancing the development of Complex 2 in Haifa Bay, a key step in the region's rehabilitation plan. The project includes approximately 70,000 housing units, around 1,000 hotel rooms, and 1.8 million square meters allocated for employment, commerce, and light industry, alongside parks and stormwater management solutions. This approval follows the green light for environmental impact assessment guidelines, part of the implementation of the national master plan for Haifa Bay (Tama 75).
Complex 2, promoted by the Israel Land Authority, covers about 12,400 dunams and is one of four major development zones in the master plan. Last month, the council approved similar environmental guidelines for Complex 1, which spans 3,000 dunams and includes plans for over 19,000 housing units, employment areas, public buildings, and open spaces. Together, these projects aim to transform Haifa Bay from a heavily industrial area into a sustainable urban metropolis.
The Tama 75 plan targets a 36,000-dunam area currently occupied by polluting heavy industry, including petrochemical plants, refineries, and fuel depots. It envisions around 100,000 new housing units, 3,000 hotel rooms, and 15 million square meters for commercial and employment uses. The environmental impact assessments are critical due to the area's industrial legacy, requiring thorough examination of soil contamination and groundwater risks.
Following two years of comprehensive planning and infrastructure mapping, detailed plans and environmental reviews will proceed, with final implementation expected over the next 50 years. The cessation of petrochemical industry operations by 2029 will enable gradual realization of the plan. The redevelopment will include relocating heavy industry to central zones and introducing "soft" employment sectors and knowledge-based industries on the periphery.
Rafi Almaliah, CEO of the Planning Administration, emphasized the project's significance, stating it is among Israel's most important current planning initiatives. Einav Ringler, Senior Planning and Projects Manager at the Israel Land Authority, highlighted the approval as a major milestone toward converting the area into a diverse and sustainable urban space that will anchor Haifa's metropolitan growth.
