Old versus New: Preservation Policy in Jerusalem - Executive summary

Background Information

This report is the product of a collective endeavor by a small group of professionals in the field of urban preservation. The initiative was launched at the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies (JIIS) in 2007, after many observers determined that preservation efforts in the city had slackened. In response, JIIS approached the Goldman Foundation through its representative in Jerusalem, Bonnie Boxer, to seek assistance in the preparation of a report on preservation policy for Jerusalem, and the Foundation responded affirmatively. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude for their support.

Summary

The report presented here comprises nine chapters: an overview of preservation in the city, the designation “historic city” and its significance, criteria for the selection of sites and neighborhoods for preservation, economic aspects of urban preservation – international and Israeli experience, planning tools and financial incentives for preservation measures in the city, the main problems in Jerusalem and the actual state of affairs vis-à-vis preservation, urban policy recommendations in the area of preservation, and statutory aspects, including the interim policy of the district committee. Appendices to the report contain a list of international treaties on the issue of preservation, a set of guidelines for creating a preservation documentation file, a glossary of terms, and a bibliography.

The report includes chapters by professionals in specific areas, including the chapter on economics and the chapter on tools for the promotion of preservation, which was authored by Aviel Yelinek from JIIS. Other chapters, including those on methodology and criteria for the selection of preservation sites, the state of preservation in Jerusalem, the appendices on planning and on international treaties, and some of the recommendations for preservation policy in the city were authored by the undersigned.