Background:

The Sachnin Conference on the issue of planning in Arab towns in Israel is the first conference of its kind and will be the foundation stone for many similar conferences in the years to come. The conference, to take place on April 28^th and 29^th, 2010 will deal with urban renewal in the Arab and Jewish localities in the Galilee. The conference is organized by the Municipality of Sachnin, "Neighbors" (an NPO whose main duty is to develop tools and methods for planning in the Israeli Arab towns), and "Merchav" (an NPO whose task is to raise awareness for a better urban environment).

It is known that Israel is a country of many Jewish townships; it is less known that the same is true of the Arab population. Sachnin has already received the status of "city", but there are many more "towns" that are actually de-facto cities. Simultaneously, the Israeli planning history is one of separation and division. In the Galilee which is virtually a mosaic of Arab and Jewish localities; of cities, villages and suburbs; and urban and rural areas - this is all too apparent!

The challenges around which the conference is centered are several: to explore the emerging Arab urban development in Israel; to investigate the special problems and issues facing these localities; to compare the issues with those similar of all cities wherever they may be; to establish tools for Jewish/Arab cooperative planning; and to create a communal perspective for planning the Galilee.

Sachnin, with a population of over 25,000 holds the reputation of being a leader and example to the Arab sector. The issues and solutions that will arise from this conference should serve as an example to other urban centers in the country, be they Arab or Jewish.

The Goals:

• Raise awareness of the special issues regarding the Arab towns and creating tools for the development for flourishing Arab urbanities that coincide with the needs and lifestyles of the population.
• Raise awareness amongst the professional community, decision makers, government offices, municipalities, and government planners in the local municipalities, and amongst the general public as to the importance of proper urbanization in the Arab localities and the importance of one strategic planning perspective in the Galilee.
• Instigate a dialogue between professionals - Arab and Jewish, those from the center of the country and those from the periphery - and bring about real shared changes in the Galilee.
• Create partnerships between the city of Sachnin and its neighbors, local NGOs, and citizens and events that are dedicated to the development of the Arab city and the area as a whole.
• Cope with the planning of the area and offer solutions to the specific problems facing the city of Sachnin.

The Program

The Conference will last for two full days, including evening activities, on Wednesday and Thursday, April 28^th and 29^th, at the Community Cultural Center in Sachnin.

The Conference is based, for the most part, on workshops, from which recommendations will be made and papers will be written. The participants will be divided up into the workshops in which they will discuss the issues and make recommendations. The workshops are:

1. Planning and Development of Sachnin's Main Street -

The goal is to design an inclusive plan to the development of route 805 that crosses through Sachnin. This will serve as a model for regional development in other Arab localities.

1. Program for the Urbanization of the Arab Village -

The goal is to design a position paper (planning instructions) that can be used as an anchor for planning existing large Arab towns and the development pattern for their becoming cities and the planning of new neighborhoods, whilst taking into account the age and customs of the village itself.

1. A New Arab City - Really? -

This group will discuss the issue as to whether to establish and build a new Arab city in the Galilee and/or find alternative solutions to the Arab population's problems.

1. A Comprehensive Plan in the Area Around Sachnin

This group will design a position paper (planning instructions) that can be used as a foundation for planning in the area around Sachnin, and as a model for other areas mixed with Arabs & Jews and cities & villages.

Guest lecturers include Professor Amiram Gonen, Hebrew University.

A reception will take place on Wednesday April 28^th at 18:30 which will be followed by dinner and a local cultural performance.

Target Audience

Architects, urban planners, students, decision makers and politicians from around the country will be invites to participate in the 2010 Sachnin Conference for Innovative Planning in Arab Towns. The Conference will be accompanied by an exhibit and opportunities for interaction between business and workers.

The Conference is a breakthrough both in the treatment of the planning issues facing the Israeli Arab sector and in the place it will take place - Sachnin, an Arab peripheral city.

Fee

The fee is 200 NIS and includes full participation, refreshments, dinner on 28.4 and lunch on 29.4. Registration before the day of the event reduces the fee to 180 NIS.

One day is 100 NIS.

Our hope is that together we can create a different thought process, one that is innovative and appropriate for the Arab localities in Israel.

For the detailed program, sleeping arrangements, and to sign up see www.neighbors.org.il, contact info@neighbors.org.il or (972) 04 - 6744898.